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MICHAEL JOHNSTONE



This edition published in 2006 by Arcturus Publishing Limited

26/27 Bickels Yard, 151–153 Bermondsey Street,

London SE1 3HA

Copyright © 2004 Arcturus Publishing Limited

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored

in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,

mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission

in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1956 (as amended). Any

person or persons who do any unauthorised act in relation to this publication

may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

ISBN-13: 978-1-84193-235-4

ISBN-10: 1-84193-235-3

Printed and bound in China

Author: Michael JohnstoneDesigner: Kevin Ancient



Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

It’s on the cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

It’s in your cups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

It’s in the crystal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

It’s in the east . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

The I Ching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

It’s in the numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

It’s in the palm of your hand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

It’s in the stones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

It’s in the stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177



Introduction



A variety of divination arts half as old as timeDivination: ME [-()Fr. divination or L. divinatio, f. divinat-, pa, ppl stemof divinare; see DIVINE v., -ION.]

1. The action or practice of divining; the foretelling of future events or

discovery of what is hidden or obscure by supernatural or magicalmeans. Also with a [article] and pl. [plural] an exercise of this, aprophecy, an augury.

2. Successful conjecture or guessing.

Not content with telling us that the word ‘divination’ is a Middle Englishone that has its roots in Old French or Latin, and then defining the word,the 1983 edition of the Oxford English Dictionary goes on to tell us thatthe first recorded written use of the word in its longer meaning is foundin the work of Sir Thomas North (c. 1535 – c. 1601). The Tudor poet

wrote, ‘The flying of birds, which doe geue a happy divination of thingsto come.’ The second meaning was first used in written form by North’scontemporary, William Shakespeare, who in Henry IV part II wrote:

‘Why, he is dead.See what a ready tongue suspicion hath!He that but fears the thing he would not knowHath by instinct knowledge from others' eyesThat what he fear'd is chanced. Yet speak, Morton;Tell thou an earl his divination lies,And I will take it as a sweet disgrace

And make thee rich for doing me such wrong.’

What these dictionary definitions fail to do is give any hint of thebreadth of the ways in which the action of divining can be practised. Forthat we must move several centuries on from Thomas North andWilliam Shakespeare and turn to twenty-first century technology – theInternet.

Switch on a computer, select a search engine and key in the word. Googlealone offers over 490,000 sites to choose from! Hitting on one them,

www.angelfire.com, and then selecting from the various options offeredeventually leads to the following glossary compiled by an organization

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called BoxArt, the headlist of which is reproduced here with theirgenerous permission.

Aeromancy

This form of divination looks to the air and sky for inspiration partic-ularly concerning itself with cloud shapes, comets and otherphenomenon not normally visible in the heavens (see alsoMeteoromancy).

Alchemy

The much sought after but never achieved practice of transmutation of base metals into precious metals (e.g. gold or silver) with the aid of anesoteric third substance is a form of divination, seeking as it does to use

‘divine’ knowledge to alter things.

Alectryomancy

Those who divine by Alectryomancy encourage a bird to pick grains of corn from a circle of letters. The letter closest to the grain pecked is notedand the words eventually formed used as an augury. A variation is tointone the letters of the alphabet at sunrise, noting those at which thecock crows.

AleuromancyAnyone who has ever eaten a fortune cookie has knowingly orunknowingly indulged in Aleuromancy whereby answers to questionsare rolled into balls of dough, which once baked are chosen at random bythose who have questions to ask.

Alomancy

Also known as Halomancy, this form of divination involves studying the

patterns made by table salt poured from the hand of the practitioner onto a consecrated surface or small area of land preferably used only for thepurpose of divination.

Alphitomancy

Baking is the media by which some diviners look to find the truth.Specially baked cakes are fed to those who stand accused of a misdeed of some sort, to establish guilt or innocence. The cakes are digestible bysomeone with a clear conscience but are unpleasant to those with guilt

written on their minds.

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Anthropomancy

Now long-outlawed, anthropomancy is a means of divination thatinvolves human sacrifice.

ApantomancyThe chance meeting with animals such as black cats, many types of birdsand other creatures is believed by some to be a sign of things to come.The siting of Mexico City was a result of Apantomancy. According tolegend, Aztec practitioners of the art saw an eagle, a live snake in itsmouth, soar into the air from the cactus on which it had been perched,and took this as a sign that such a spot would be the place around whichto built a settlement!

AstraglomancySometimes known as Astragyromancy, this method of selecting a paththrough the future uses special dice that bear numbers and letters ontheir sides.

Astrology

Those who practise this, one of the oldest, most popular and scientificforms of divination, look to the Sun, the Moon, the planets and the stars,and their position and passage through the sky to tell on whom the Sun

will be shining in future. The Babylonians practised the art, and it ismore or less accepted by most people who have looked at the relevantresearch with an open mind that the Great Pyramid and othermausoleums in the Nile Valley were built with astrology very much inmind.

Austromancy

The way the wind is blowing is believed by some to provide a guide asto what prevailing currents hold in store in days to come.

Axiomancy

When an axe or hatchet is driven into a post, the way in which it quiversbefore settling is thought to provide a signpost to what will occur in thedays to follow.

Belomancy

Similar to Axiomancy (see above) the ancient art of Belomancy looks tothe flight of arrows and how they move when they hit their target topoint the way to what lies ahead.

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Bibliomancy

Diviners who practise this particular skill, use books to thumb their waythrough the library of the future. A question is asked, the chosen bookis opened at random, and the words on which the eye first falls are theninterpreted to answer the enquirer.

Botanomancy

Botanomancers look to the shapes made in wood and leaf fires to discernfuture events.

Capnomancy

One stage on from Botanomancy, Capnomancy concerns itself withinterpreting the forms taken on by smoke swirling upwards from a fire

to help them peer through the veil that shrouds the future from the eyesof non-believers.

Cartomancy

Competing with astrology for the Number One spot in the top twentyof divination (in the West at least), Cartomancy in any of its severalforms uses cards to answer the questions that those who wish to lookinto the future ask. The cards may by those in an ordinary playing pack,or a specially designed one such as the Tarot.

Catoptomancy

This early form of crystal gazing catches moonbeams in a mirror turnedtowards the Moon and interprets the shapes and patterns they create toform a picture of future events and to answer questions as to which isthe best path to tread through them.

Causiomancy

When an object is placed in a fire, it may burn, melt, change colour,evaporate and move or behave in a variety of ways. Causiomancers gazeinto the flames at objects cast into them and draw their conclusions fromthey way they react to the melting heat.

Cephalomancy

The root of the word, the Latin cephalicus, itself derived from the Greekword for ‘head’, provides the inspiration for this particular type of divination, but gives no clue to as to which particular type of head. Infact, those who divine via Cephalomancy use the skull or head of adonkey or goat as the key that unlocks the door to future events.

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Ceraunomancy

Many ancient peoples believed that thunder and lightning were one of the ways in which the Gods communicated with each other. And as theGods were omnipotent, what better way to divine the future than toeavesdrop on their conversations, using thunderclaps and lightning

flashes to give ceraunomancers the gift of foresight?

Ceromancy

Also known as Ceroscopy, Ceromancy practitioners pour molten waxinto water and use the shapes taken on by the hardening substance as theclues that will unravel the mysteries of the future.

Chiromancy

Closely allied to Palmistry, (see below) Chiromancy concerns itself onlywith the lines of the hands to discern what tomorrow has in its grip,whereas the former uses other features of the hand to find out what liesin store.

Chirognomy

Like Palmistry (see below) this is another way of divining the future byobserving the hand. Chirognomancers study its general formationrather than the more particular aspects considered by chiromancers and

palmists.

Clairaudience

The word means ‘clear hearing’. This method of divination is usuallyregarded as a form of extrasensory perception (ESP) whereby the unseenspirits who inhabit the future ‘speak’ to the select band who have ‘thegift’.

ClairvoyanceUsing their gift, which is another form of ESP, clairvoyants ‘see’ into thefuture, either during a self-induced trance during which pictures of future events come to mind, or in flashes that can come, unsettlingly, outof the blue. According to one claim, a passenger about to embark on theRMS Titanic had one such sudden clairvoyant experience as she wasabout to board the doomed liner and refused to sail.

Cleromancy

The shifting patterns of sea shells and pebbles on the beach, either

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moved by the flowing tide or taken from an appropriate beach anddropped from the hands of the diviner, are believed by cleromancers tohelp them dip into the waters of tomorrow. Another method of Cleromancy is to hold a seashell up to the ear and listen. Most of us,when children, did this and were convinced we could hear the sea.Cleromancers with an ear for this sort of thing, believe that the gentle

rushing that can sometimes be heard is a voice from the future telling of events yet to happen or trends that will gradually unfold as the tide of life ebbs and flows.

Clidomancy

Also known as Cleidomancy, Clidomancy uses the twistings andtwirlings of a key suspended from a specially blessed or charmed cord toopen the portal that shields the forthcoming (see also Radiesthesia).

Coscinomancy

Whereas clidomancers use a key, coscinomancers use a suspended sieveto solve the riddle of what is around the corners we must turn as wemove through our lives (see also Radiesthesia).

Critomancy

This comparatively (very!) obscure method of peeking into the futureinvolves baking special barley cakes. The way they take shape in theoven and the patterns the crumbs make when the cakes are being eaten,are the things that those who bake them hold to be significant.

Cromniomancy

Not much is known about this old method of divination other than thatonion sprouts were thought to be able to provide pointers to the future.

Crystallomancy

When we think of divination or, to give it its more common name,fortune telling, one of the images that comes to mind is probably that of an old woman peering into her crystal ball and via it into things to come.Fortunetellers are crystallomancers by another name. It need not be acrystal ball: any crystal on which the seer is properly focused can beused. Some crystals are said to have special powers and are used for theirown purpose. Sunstone, for example, is reputed to be an excellentconduit for those seeking knowledge of future matters of a sexualnature, while rose quartz has the reputation for helping those seekingadvice on how to mend quarrels especially with those close to them.

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Cyclomancy

The behaviour of a turning wheel, how long it goes round for and thedirections or things to which its spokes are pointing when it comes or isbrought to a halt, are all scrutinized by cyclomancers in their search foranswers as to what’s going to happen during future spins of the wheel of

life.

Dactylomancy

This is a branch of Radiethesia (see below) that uses a ring suspended ona piece of string or specially consecrated cord to peer through the mistsof time to come.

Daphnomancy

People who divine using Daphnomancy as their chosen method do so byburning laurel branches on an open fire and interpreting the resultingcrackling that fills the air. Laurel is a wood that was sacred to the AncientGreeks, who believed that it communicated the spirit of prophecy.

Dendromancy

Like Daphnomancy (see above) wood is the key to this method of divination, in this case either oak or mistletoe. The former was sacred tothe God of Thunder because it was thought to be the most likely tree in

the forest to be struck by lightning and was therefore a conduit to him,and thence to others in the pantheon. Mistletoe was held in greatveneration by the Druids and, later, was thought to be the wood fromwhich Christ’s cross was made.

Dowsing

This is the method by which the presence of water or precious metals isdivined by using a forked rod that vibrates when held over the spotwhere what is being searched for is to be found. Hazel is the favouredwood for the purpose. Many people scoff at the very idea of dowsing, butthere are too many records of times when it has been used successfullyto detect water when all other methods have failed, for it to be deridedby non-believers.

Geloscopy

This curious way of divination uses the tone of laughter as the way tofind out what is about to happen to whoever is amused.

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Genethialogy

This is the branch of Astrology that predicts the path a person’s life willtake by plotting the positions of the stars and planets in the variousastrological houses at the time of birth. It is one of the few methods of divination that lends itself to twenty-first-century technology! Anyonewho wants to use Genethialogy to find out their destiny need only accessa suitable Website, and key in where and exactly when they were born.

Once credit card details have been cleared, a detailed analysis will comeon screen, which is simply downloaded to be constantly at hand.

Graphology

Handwriting has long been held to provide a key to character analysis.Indeed, some firms have such a strong belief in Graphology, that theywill not offer employment to anyone whose handwriting does not comeup to scratch.

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Gyromancy

This is a particularly active form of divination whereby the diviner walksaround a circle, marked with letters at various points around its circum-ference, until dizziness sets in. This causes the diviner to stumble atdifferent points, the letters at these points eventually spelling out a

prophecy.

Haruspication

Perhaps one of the most famous of the ancient methods of divination,Haruspication involves inspecting the entrails of an animal. It waswidely practised by priests in ancient Rome: Shakespearean scholars willrecall that in Julius Caesar, the eponymous hero’s wife, Calpurnia, warnshim not to go to the Senate on the fateful Ides of March because of whathas been foretold by priests who used this art.

Hieromancy

Also known as Hierscopy, Hieromancy is divination by observing objectsof sacrifice – how they move in their death throes, how the blood flowsand the shape the eventually lifeless form takes. It is now illegal in mostparts of the world, but is probably still performed in parts of the worldwhere animism is the prevailing religion.

HippomancyHippomancers divine the future by watching horses, taking noteespecially of their stomping and neighing. The art was probablydeveloped among tribes of Amerindians and was observed by settlers onthe trek west as still being practised by Indian tribes well into thenineteenth century.

Horoscopy

This is more or less another name for Astrology, involving as it does, the

practice of using astrological horoscopes to divine the future.

Hydromancy

Watching the water - its colour, ebb and flow, and the ripples producedby pebbles dropped in a pool – is the source of inspiration behind thisparticular form of divination. Usually, but not necessarily the water wascontained in a pool dedicated to one or other of the pantheon in whichthe seer believed.

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Icthyomancy

Believers in Icthyomancy believe that by watching the way a fishbehaves when it is placed in a consecrated pool, they, too, can swim in thewaters of knowledge of tomorrow.

Lampadomancy

The way that the flames of torches used specifically for Lampadomancyflicker allows those who practise this divinatory art to shed light ontomorrow and the days thereafter.

Lecanomancy

Lecanomancers gaze into a basin of water in much the same way thatcrystallomancers (see above) focus on their crystals hoping that as they

reflect on their own or their followers’ questions, the answers will berevealed.

Libanomancy

As incense burns, the fumes given off twist and turn in the air, creatingendlessly fascinating patterns. It is these patterns that libanomancersobserve, hoping to see in them the solutions to whatever it is thattroubles them.

Lithomancy

Precious stones have long fascinated humankind, and it is little surprise,therefore, to learn that they have and still are used in divination. Withtheir own powers and of various hues, gemstones can be used byLithomancers to gaze into many aspects of the future.

Margaritomancy

Margaritomancers hold a pearl in their hands, think deeply of thequestions they want answered, and drop it on to a solid surface.The wayit bounces and how it rolls and comes to rest, gives those who seek toknow, their insights into the future!

Metagnomy

Many seers fall into a trance during which they have visions of thefuture. Many clairvoyants do this, as do practitioners of many kinds of divination. Metagnomy is a general term for this divination derivedfrom visions received during a trance.

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Meteoromancy

Today, most people (in the western world at least) know that meteors aresmall pieces of space debris that burn up on entering the Earth’satmosphere and produce shooting stars. Lacking this knowledge, ourancestors regarded them as portents of future events. This belief lingers

on, not just in developing lands, meteoromancers believing that thesepyrotechnic phenomena can illumine the future.

Metoposcopy

Whereas Phrenology (see below) concerns itself with the shape of theskull to give practitioners of the art a head start in future events,Metoposcopy considers that the lines of the forehead are what matterswhen assessing a person’s character and hence gaining an insight intowhat could await the sitter.

Molybdomancy

When lead is heated to liquid form, a loud hissing emanates from themelting pot. According to molybdomancers those who inhabit the spiritworld and know what the future holds communicate this knowledge tothose in tune with them via this medium.

Myomancy

The manner in which several of the thousands of rats and mice (the mostnumerous family of all mammals) scurry hither and thither in responseto various stimuli tells those who practise Myomancy the course of future events. Cynics may say that when they perceive rats leaving aship, it is pretty obvious that the boat is about to sink! But in parts of theworld where people are more in tune with nature than the city sophis-ticates of the western world, rodent behaviour is regarded as a means of divining the future.

NumerologyOne of the best known methods of divination, Numerology divines byinterpreting numbers, dates and the numerical value of letters. Numberswere used for divination by the Ancient Chinese and Egyptians, but itwas in Classical Greece and among the Hebrews that Numerology wasdeveloped, Pythagoras, for example, believing that numbers were, ‘thefirst things in Nature’.

Oculomancy

The eyes, it is said, are the keys to the soul. They are also, according toOculomancy, a reliable guide to a person’s character and when focused

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on by a practised oculomancer can provide clues as to what they willbehold in the future.

Oenomancy

Wine is not only pleasant to drink, oenomancers believe that whenpoured into special chalices and gazed into, what they see will uncorkfuture events. It can also be poured from the chalice and the patterns itforms can, to experienced eyes, yield clues to tomorrow’s world.

Omphalomancy

This particular method of divination has but one use only – to foretellthe number of subsequent children women will have by counting theknots on the umbilical cord following the arrival of the firstborn.

Oneiromancy

Dream interpretation’s proper name, Oneiromancy must be a contenderfor the oldest form of divination. Maybe the most famous of those withthe gift of telling dreamers what their nocturnal imaginings meant isJoseph, whose adventures are related in the Old Testament Book of Genesis. And perhaps the most amusing comment on thiswas made by Lord (Tim) Rice who, in the lyrics of Joseph and His Amazing TechnicolourDreamcoat, has Joseph interpreting thePharaoh’s dream in the words, ‘Allthose things you saw in yourpyjamas, were the long-rangeforecast for the farmers.’

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Onomancy

Names are the driving force behind this method of divination, which hasits roots in Numerology (see above). The letters they contain and thesyllables they form are ascribed values that combine to enable the seerto plot the course to take.

Onychomancy

This branch of the art of Palmistry (see below) concentrates on thefingernails – their shape length and other features - rather than thewhole hand, to fulfil its divinatory function. There is a definite scientificbase to part of Onychomancy as the colour of a person’s nails can beindicative of certain conditions: for example, nails that have a hint of yellow about them, may suggest liver problems.

Oomantia

Oomantia (also known as Ooscopy and Ovamancy), is a method of divination that uses eggs rolled on the ground, spun round or simplypassed from the hand of those who have questions to the hand of thosewith answers as its inspiration. The diviner may simply observe the egg,grasp it hoping to feel vibrations, or hold it to their ear.

Opiomancy

The hissing of snakes, the way they move along the ground and respondto what they encounter is the basis of this serpentine method of divination.

Orniscopy

Sometimes known as Orinthomancy, this is a branch of Apantomancy(see above). It uses the behaviour and movements of birds, particularlythose in the air, to enable diviners to take a flight into the future to see

what it holds both for themselves and those who seek to gain from theirgifts. Shakespeare mentions divination by this method in Julius Caesarwhen he has Casca bid his fellow conspirators to heed . . .

The bird of night[that] did sitEven at noon-day, upon the market-place,Hooting and shrieking.

Palmistry

Experts in this ancient art use the lines, mounts and shape of the hands,fingers and nails as the basis for their assessments of the character and

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future developments of those having their palm read. The mounts (ormounds) are each linked with one or other of the planets, marryingpalmistry and the equally old art of astrology (see above) in happyunison.

PegomancySpring water and the way it bubbles up through natural fountains areused by pegomancers to discern how those who seek the way aheadshould take the plunge.

Phrenology

One of the oldest methods of divination, phrenology uses the shape of the head and the small mounds and depression on the skull to give a

character reading and to foretell the future of those who want to knowwhat awaits them as they tread their way along the bumpy path of life.

Phyllorhodmancy

This charming method of divining the future involves a rose petal beingslapped against the face of the person who would know what will growin the garden that is the future. The diviner listens carefully for thesound that results from the floral assault and bases his or her augurieson it!

Physiognomy

Practitioners of this art study the physical features of the faces of thosewho seek their wisdom to analyse their characters, which, some believe,may provide a pointer to what is in store.

Physchography

Physchographers are in tune with a spiritual force that ‘tells’ thoseblessed with the gift messages to write down, sometimes but not always,when the seer is in a trance. There are many recorded cases of this‘automatic writing’ including several whereby dead composers haveused the medium of a living person as the chalice whereby they cancarry on their work from beyond the grave.

Pyramancy

Also known as Pyroscopy, Pyramancy is a general term for divining the

future by studying fire and flame. Divination is often assisted bythrowing substances onto the flames (see also Botanomancy,

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Capnomancy, Causiomancy, Daphamancy, Lampadomancy andLibanomancy, and Xylomancy).

Radiesthesia

This is a general term for divination that uses a device such as a diviningrod or pendulum.

Rhapsodomancy

This rather romantic method of divination uses poetry as its inspiration,Those with the gift of Rhapsodamancy use a book of verse opened atrandom and a chance-chosen passage on that page as their way of divining future chapters in life’s tome. The practice is a branch of Stichomancy (see below) and Bibliomancy (see above).

Sciomancy

Sciomancers are mediums by another name – people with the gift of communicating with the spirit guides who inhabit the unseen world,usually when in a trance-like state.

Scrying

Whole books have been written about scrying, an all-encompassing termfor divination via a wide of assortment of aids from smoke to shells toinduce visions that tell what the gods have in store for us.

Sideromancy

This rare, but still-practised form of divination is, like so many, pagan inorigin. Sideromancers use a hot iron to set straw a-smouldering, andstudy the various shapes the stalks adopt as they slowly catch fire. Theyalso consider the way any smoke given off twists and spirals upwards,

interpreting what they see through the haze to give them insights intotomorrow’s world.

Sortilege

Those who practise Sortilege cast lots and use the shapes in which theyfall as the basis of their omens. The lots can take several forms – animal,vegetable and mineral. There are many versions of Sortilege, which havebeen given their own names, which are too various to detail here.

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Spodomancy

Our ancient ancestors understandably held fire in some awe. They usedit to heat their primitive dwellings, cook their food and guard them frommarauding animals. It is little wonder then that fire is involved in someway in so many forms of divination. This particular one involves

deciphering the patterns seen in cinders and soot to peer into theinglenooks of tomorrow.

Stichomancy

A branch of divination that, like Rhapsodomancy, uses the printed wordto turn pages of the upcoming chapters in the Book of Life. But whereasthe latter relies on poetry, Stichomancy can be done with any book (seealso Bibliomancy).

Stolisomancy

This curious (but perhaps no more curious than others) method of telling the future considers that the way people dress holds the clue not

just to their character, but also to their future. There is probablysomething in the argument that what one chooses to wear in themorning does reflect the way one feels, and wearing certain coloursmight affect one’s mood: so perhaps this particular form of divinationshould be regarded with more respect than it is in some quarters.

Sycomancy

This sylvan form of divination is performed by writing variousprophecies or different answers to the same question on tree leaves, andleaving them to dry naturally. Whatever is written on the last leaf to dryis most likely to come true. A more modern version requires thoseseeking what they wish for the future to write their desires on slips of paper which are then rolled up and,along with one blank rolled piece,putin a strainer and held over a boiling pot. The first to unroll is, it isbelieved, the wish that will come true. If the blank one unrolls before the

others it is a warning that there is no point in proceeding with thedivination at this particular moment in time

Tasseography

Reading the leaves is one of the most popular forms of amateurdivination.After the tea has been enjoyed, the cup is placed upside downon the saucer to drain it completely, and the shapes formed by the leavesare interpreted as pointers to the way things will be. The origins of reading the leaves are obscure, but it is known to have been practised in

China for thousands of years, which is hardly surprising as tea-drinkingwas common for many millennia before it spread to other countries.

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Tiromancy

Cheese and the crumbs it leaves on the plate may seem unlikely pointersto the future, but in the world of divination, there is little that cannot beused as indicative of things to come – and what’s on the cheeseboard isno exception.

Xylomancy

The shapes of pieces of wood when they are collected and the way thischanges when the logs are burned is the basis on which xylomancersmake their predictions as to how to cope with any future knottyproblems (see Pyromancy above).

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In an ideal world, each one of these different methods of divinationwould be given equal space. We would look at the history of them all,where they were or still are practised, and how effective they are. Sadly,we don’t live in an ideal world Instead, we will concentrate on the oneswith which most of us have come in contact, or which are accessible tous.

Cynics will say that divination in these and its other myriad forms is aload of pie in the sky: everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Butothers, perhaps more open-minded souls, will pause for a moment beforethey join the ranks of the disbelievers. They would be wise to do so, forthere is a considerable body of evidence in favour of those who arecertain that there is something in it.

Of course, no one (at least no one sensible) would claim that the old ladywho sets up a stall at the vicar’s fete and charges good-natured villagers

a pound to peer into her crystal ball and tell their future is doinganything else than raising some much-needed cash for the restorationfund. And when she has a friend round for tea and offers to ‘read yourcup, dear,’ no one really believes that she has ‘the gift’.

But what about the well-documented case of the seven-year-old girlwhose mother slept during the day and kept watch all night when sailingon a cross-Atlantic liner because she ‘knew’ it was going to sink? Themother was called Esther and young girl’s name was Eva Hart… and theship was the RMS Titanic.

Or Jeanne Dixon, one of the United States’ most celebrated clairvoyants.In 1956 she foretold that a Democratic president with ‘thick brown hairand blue eyes’, would be assassinated by a man whose name began withO or Q. Seven years later, John F. Kennedy, the thick-brown haired,blue-eyed Democratic President was assassinated in Dallas, Texas by a manwhose name began with an O – Lee Harvey Oswald.

As Hamlet said, ‘There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,than are dreamt of in your philosophy.’

Successful divination is one of them.

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It’s on the cards



The history of playing cards is lost in the mists of time. Someclaim they were the invention of the ancient Chinese,

others that they were first used in Ancient Egypt. India hasalso been put forward as the place whence they originated.

There are perhaps links with the Crusaders who may have learned aboutthem from the Saracens, who may have used them to divine the futuresince the eighth century AD and there may be a connection with theKnights Templar! The truth? We shall probably never know.

What we do know is there are, in the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris,seventeen cards, sixteen of which are recognisably Tarot in origin. It wasonce thought that these dated from the reign of Charles VI (1368-1422),the French king who lost the Battle of Agincourt and died insane. Butrecent research suggests that they are Italian, taking the name ‘Tarot’from the river Taro, a tributary of the Po.

The Tarot is the forerunner of the modern pack. The earliest completepack, painted by Italian Renaissance artist Bonifacio Bembo, is now inthe J. Pierpoint Morgan Library in the New York: the cards are virtuallyidentical to the modern Tarot deck.

As the modern playing pack gradually evolved from the Tarot, the namesof the suits – Cups (sometimes called Chalices), Wands (Batons),

Pentacles (Coins) and Swords evolved (in the English pack) to Hearts,Clubs, Diamonds and Spades.

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Both the Tarot and the ordinary pack can be used to divine the future.

Many are the ways of laying out a pack. The simplest is the Three Spread– the first card represents the past and is placed at the left of the surface.The second card (the present) placed to the right of the first and the third(the future) to the right of the second.

In the Year Ahead spread, twelve cards are laid clockwise, the first attwelve o’clock. The fourth card is laid alongside the third and fifth cards(the third lying directly under the fifth) and the tenth one alongside theninth and the eleventh, that card lying directly above the ninth.The YearAhead spread shows current influences and those that will influence thequestioner over the next twelve months. It offers a good general view of what lies in store.

The Horoscope spread is based on the twelve houses of the Zodiac. The

first card is laid at nine o’clock, the second at eight o’clock and so on withthe twelfth card at 10 o’clock. This spread is often used to focus onpotential, character and as a pointer to relationships and career. The areaseach card covers are as follows:

First PersonalitySecond Personal values and monetary mattersThird Communications and short journeysFourth Home and familyFifth Romance, creativity and childrenSixth Vocation and health

Seventh RelationshipsEighth Shared resourcesNinth Long journeys and matters philosophicalTenth Career goals and aspirations.Eleventh Friends and hopesTwelveth Unconscious mind and hidden limitations

The Yes or No spread is a diagonal cross, with the first card at the centreof the cross. Running downwards from top left to bottom right, the orderof the cards is as follows – fifth, fourth, first, third and second. Andupwards from bottom left to top right sixth, seventh, first, eighth andninth. The spread is designed to give a straightforward ‘Yes!’ or ‘No!’answer to a question. An upright first card is a ‘Yes!’ a reversed one a‘No!’ Cards two and three indicate helpful influences, cards four andfive, the questioner’s mental reaction, cards six and seven the adverseinfluences, and cards eight and nine the emotional reaction.

The Celtic Cross is one of the most widely used, being the most generaland non-specific of layouts, showing the history behind the question,current influences, hurdles that have to be cleared, social factors and thelikely outcome.Answers to questions are valid for three months, past or

future. The first card is positioned vertically in the centre, the second

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horizontally along the bottom of the first. The third card is above thesetwo and the fourth alongside to the left. The fifth card is positionedbelow the central three, the sixth on the right of them. Cards seven,eight, nine and ten lie in a vertical line to the right of the sixth, theseventh at the bottom of the column, the tenth at the top. The areas thecards cover are:

First The question – describing the nature of the question and themotive behind it

Second The influence – the atmosphere, personalities or emotions

that have a bearing on the question

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Third The background – the history, events and

relationships that have lead to the question being askedFourth The recent past – something that has just happened that hasa direct influence on the question

Fifth The present – the current state of the questioner – hopes,fears and emotions.

Sixth The near future

Seventh Attitude – the way in which the questioner approaches thesubject of the question

Eighth Other’s perspectives – the feeling of those close to thequestioner about what is being asked

Ninth Pros and cons – a cool, detached analysis of the questionTenth The outcome

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The Gypsy spread is one of the most common non-Tarot layouts.Revealing past and present influences, hidden as well as visible, it is bestused to find out what lies behind a particular situation as well as helpingto see into the future and to give some indication of when. The cards arelaid out in three columns of seven cards each, starting at the top left andworking across to form seven rows of three cards each. The rows have

the following relevance.

Top Row The self and what is stirring within

Second Environment and relationships

Third Hope, fears and desires

Fourth Expectations

Fifth Destiny and hidden influences

Sixth The next three months

Seventh The following quarter

Some card readers keep two sets of cards – one for doing personalreadings, one for divining for others. In the latter case a significator cardis often used to represent the questioner. This may be chosen at randomor if doing a Tarot reading, according to the correspondences that shouldbe explained in the pack.

Many card readers keep their cards in a specially consecrated box or silkbag or pouch. Some insist that the pack is shuffled in a certain way andthat it is given and received with the left hand only, or the right. Thereare no hard and fast rules. Or if there is one it is that if it is right for you,

then it is the right way for you to do it.

The TarotThe Tarot pack comprises seventy-eight cards – fifty-six Minor Arcana,divided into the four suits, and twenty-two pictorial cards, the MajorArcana, numbered 0 to 21. The suits of the Minor Arcana representedthe different strata of society – Cups were the clergy, Wands thepeasants, Pentacles the tradesmen and Swords were the aristocracy.

Today with over three hundred different designs to chose from, it mightseem difficult for the beginner to decide which one to select. There arethose who believe that it is unlucky to choose your own pack. But mostof us ignore this and, quite rightly, let our instincts decide the pack touse. Rightly? Because instinct is all when it comes to the Tarot. Each cardhas its own meaning, influenced by the way the cards present

themselves and the way in which they are laid out, but it is the diviner’sinstinct that is perhaps the most important element of any reading.Also,

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there are special Tarot packs for special purposes: there’s a Lover’s packthat is often used to answer questions concerning love, sex andrelationships. There are packs that combine astrology with the Tarot.And there is a Witchcraft pack – the Aleister Crowley Thoth pack – eachone related in some way to witchcraft and black magic.

Before the cards are laid out, they must by shuffled. The most commonway is to shuffle the cards whole, focusing the mind on the question tothe exclusion of everything else. The pack is now cut into three piles,which are placed in front of the reader who picks up the last cut pile andplaces it on top of the first pile, then stacks the second pile on top of that.The cards are then dealt face down in the chosen spread. Another way isto fan the cards out after they have been shuffled and to draw out thenumber of cards required at random, turning the cards over as they areread. Card readers sometimes use only the Major Arcana, in which caseonly these cards are shuffled.

Each of the cards in the pack has its own meanings – one for when it isdrawn properly and one when it is reversed. The suits, too, have theirown correspondences, which are significant, when many cards of thesame suit turn up in a spread.

Wands Work, creativity, reputation, fame, enterprise and efficiency

Cups Love, happiness, harmony, sensitivity, fertility and unity

Swords Ideas and communications, hostility, struggle, bitterness andmalice

Pentacles Money, stability and material matters

And the lower cards of the Minor Arcana can be used to give someindication of time.

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Swords Wands Cups Pentacles

2 March June September December

3 April July October January4 May August November February



The Major ArcanaNames can vary from pack to pack, but the numbers are a constant.Major because they are concerned with deeper issues than the Minorcards, these twenty-two cards represent the innermost qualities of the

questioner’s psyche and personality.

0 The Fool, often depicted standing on the edge of a precipice, bag androse in hand and with a dog snapping at his legs. Drawing it suggeststhat a choice must by made and it is time to face up to reality.Reversed it indicates indecisiveness, irresponsibility and madness.

1 The Magician, wand in hand, serpent coiled around his waist in somepacks, is a person of authority who brings with him the power to dogood. Whoever turns the Magician over is being told that they havethe ability to get on in life as long as they realize that obstacles arethere to be overcome. Reversed it suggests deviousness, unreliabilityand a manipulative nature.

2 The High Priestess often depicted as a female pope tells of knowledgeand serenity, wisdom and intuition. But reversed she impliesignorance.When she appears this way in a spread she can be carryinga warning that something is going on behind your back of which youare unaware. Be careful in whom you confide.

3 The Empress, sitting on her throne, radiates renewal, nurture andnourishment. She can mean marriage and motherhood as well as

material gains in the offing. Reversed, she warns of a tendency to putothers before oneself with a consequent loss of identity.

4 The Emperor is the card of fathering and indicates focus and anenergy that gets things done. It indicates that someone in a positionof authority will offer advice that should be taken seriously. Reversedit suggests an over-critical, arrogant and impatient nature, that canlead to trouble. Heed the warning.

5 The High Priest or Pope may be a wise teacher, but he can bring withhim an unnecessary desire for social approval. When reversed, he issaying that there is an unwillingness to accept change that is

preventing moving ahead in life. His appearance can indicate thatthere will be a renewed interest in religion and that if a new personappears on the horizon, every effort should be made to impressthem.

6 The Lovers, the card of love and emotion, relationships and thefamily. They are the innocent us before we became sullied by life.They bring in their wake unification, problems solved and newprojects embraced. Reversed they warn of problems on the love frontand unwelcome choices that have to be made.

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7 The Chariot, drawn by two wild creatures symbolizing the will, is acard of challenge, change and eventual triumph. Obstacles will beovercome by seeing what has to be done and making sure that it iscarried out. Reversed it cautions against making impulsive decisionsand a tendency to make change for change’s sake.

8 Justice is the card of principle and true speaking, of the desire to dowhat is right. In its positive guise it says that in any upcoming brushwith officialdom, a judicious use of facts and accurate detail willensure that a just result will ensue. Reversed, it counsels againstaccepting injustice in exchange for a quiet life, even if it means seeingsomeone being treated unfairly.

9 The Hermit, holding up his lamp lit with knowledge and wisdom andleaning on the staff of experience means wisdom and learning gainedthrough living. It says,‘listen to your inner voice and if it says retreatfrom the world for a while to renew creativity’ then do just that.

Reversed, it suggests that introversion, fraud and deceit will casttheir shadow. Its appearance in a spread can mean that it is time tochange the course that life is taking and that a move to a new locationmay be necessary.

10 The Wheel of Fortune, represents the input of something unexpected– maybe good, maybe bad - on the horizon. In its normal position,it can herald a new opportunity that, if grasped, will lead to nothingbut good. Reversed it warns that you are allowing others to have toostrong an influence on your life.

11 Force or Justice, usually showing a woman forcing closed the jaws of

a lion, unafraid of any danger, the card shows the courage toovercome any danger, as well as patience and perseverance. Reversed,though, it suggests that the subject of the reading is scared that plansin the offing will meet opposition and that little will be done toface it.

12 The Hanged Man, the card of sacrifice and the willingness to faceshort-term losses for long-term gains, the card does not presage loss,but letting go. This is often a decision to make a better life by givingup an immediate advantage. Reversed it shows an unwillingness tolet go and a refusal to see the long-term benefits to be had from a

recently presented opportunity.13 Death, the Grim Reaper, a card that tells us of approaching endings

that will free us and set us off on new paths, as long as we acceptthem. If it appears reversed, then we face stagnation or unwelcomechanges that will see us having to pick our way through an unknownand unwelcoming new landscape.

14 Temperance a card of healing and harmony indicated by the figurepouring water from one vessel to another encouraging us to let thelife force flow freely. It counsels us that compromise is the answer toany problems. Reversed it can presage upcoming discord.

15 The Devil, the card that represents the instinctual, shadowy part of

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ourselves, says that something looms, something unavoidable, andthat although it may alarm us, all’s well that ends well. When it’sreversed something that’s looming will not turn out well.

16 The Tower, struck by lightning and starting to crumble, tells us theunexpected is to be welcomed as it liberates us from stale routine and

jaded opinions. Reversal indicates chaos, maybe financial, emotional.Maybe both.

17 The Star, symbol of hope, inspiration and rebirth, is seen shiningbrightly above a beautiful female who is emptying jugs of water intoa stream. She promises change for the better unless she is reversed,when disappointment will pour from her pitcher and sully yourhappiness.

18 The Moon, dying in the night sky only to be reborn again a few dayslater, is concerned with the unconscious and can indicate that occultforces are at work in our lives. Even unreversed it can herald disillu-

sionment; reversed it says confusion will reign causing us to makemistakes and bring deception into our lives.

19 The Sun, seen shining on a child, is symbolic of energy, joy, optimismand worldly success. It says that this is the perfect moment toembrace opportunity. It promises happiness (maybe the birth of ababy) and health. Even reversed it still promises some happiness inall these respects, but it may be clouded by loneliness.

20 The Last Judgement, often portrayed by figures rising from theirgraves, means the end of one phase in life and the start of a new one.

But we can only move on after we have taken a good look at the pastand forgiven ourselves for mistakes made, which is something that ishard to do. Reversed it presages delays and postponements, andwarns of the dangers of acting on hasty judgements.

21 The World, seen accompanied by a dancing female, is the card of completion and of expanding horizons. Challenges have been faced.Battles fought and won. New ones beckon and they can be viewedwith confidence. When it is found to be reversed, it signifiesresistance to change and that there is more than a passing danger of becoming too established in every aspect of life.

The Minor ArcanaWhereas the cards in the Major Arcana reflect the big issues in life, thosein the Minor Arcana show humdrum, day-to-day events and how theseaffect you. These are the things that comprise most of our lives, andalthough they often seem insignificant, it is often our reaction to themthat sets off major changes.

A Tarot reading that includes the Minor Arcana can reveal many things,including – perhaps most importantly – if your life has become

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entrenched in a pattern, in which case the cards can help you changerepetitive cycles and broaden your outlook. Experience in life can be saidto be defined by your feelings at every moment of existence: the cards inthe Minor Arcana reflect not just these experiences but the manner inwhich you externalise them.

As mentioned earlier, the four suits have their own correspondences andcan also be used to give some indication of time.

A reversed Minor Arcana card reverses its upright meaning. The damagedone by an ominous upright card is undone when it is reversed – but areversed court card, in general, is a hostile one.

Wands

Concerning career and matters creative

One A card that signifies new beginnings, which will bring changesespecially in career matters. It can also presage a birth in the family andthat an important communication will be received.

Two This says that when success comes, it will be due to determi-nation. It can also indicate that talks resulting in some kind of partnership are in the offing, and that a document promising some sortof financial security will require your signature.

Three An auspicious card that promises to bless new projects, and thatif you look to the right person for advice, what they say will bringtremendous benefit.

Four Past efforts will bear fruit if not now then soon. The cardpromises a time of peace and harmony and whispers that romance maybe in the air.

Five Not the nicest card in the pack. It says that pressure will build upand may become intolerable, but that if you stand up for what youbelieve in, things will turn out to your advantage. It also says that to get

the cooperation you are going to need, then you must put your cards onthe table and tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Six Good news is winging its way towards you, but it may get blownoff course before it gets to you. So don’t give up: success will come yourway as long as you keep trying. There could be a journey in the offing,and relationships are about to take a turn for the better.

Seven You have been battling against the odds for so long that now isthe time to take a break. Do this and the answer to your problems willcome to you. So hold on: the future is not as black as it seems.

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Eight News coming your way heralds major changes in your life thatcould involve a journey that is in some way involved with your career.The eight of Wands also suggests that a new idea could produce excellentresults, especially if it involves financial reorganization.

Nine Stick with an idea, but keep an ear open to the advice of others.

You have come a long way, but you don’t have all the answers. But youwill have if you listen to what others are saying to you.

Ten You may well have been feeling that you have had the weight of the world on your shoulders and that the recent past has been awhirlwind of constant change. Relax. The burden will soon be shiftedand you can view the future, confident that everything will soon settledown.

CupsTo do with love and pleasure, sensitivity and fertility.

One Things on the domestic front are about to change for the better,and may involve a move to a new home. Someone new may enter yourlife and the attraction you feel for them will be intense.

Two A new affair perhaps, certainly a new friendship, is about to perkyou up, and the cooperation you receive from someone will give you atremendous boost.

Three A card that says there will be a happy gathering of people, andthat can also herald a complete change in lifestyle. This card oftenappears just before news of a pregnancy is received.

Four For some reason, and no one knows what, you are feelingunhappy and bored with your lot. This may make you develop a carelessattitude towards life and encourage emotional discontent.

Five An unfortunate card that presages a break-up in a marriage orlong-term partnership. The card warns you to think carefully before

reaching any decision, for the effect could have unforeseen consequencesfor you or someone you love.

Six An old friend, maybe more than one, will re-enter your life,bringing with them, perhaps, a chance to change jobs. And anacquaintance who has recently become a friend could well turn out tohave a surprising amount in common with you.

Seven You have a very important decision to make – one that sees youstanding on the brink of a new life cycle – and there appears to be morethan one option open to you. If you use logic and common sense, the

decision you come to will enable you to enter that new cycle brimfulwith confidence.

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Eight You seem to be bored and dissatisfied with your lot, maybebecause your long-laid plans seem to be stuck in the mire. This couldmake you want to try something new. But what? Aye there’s the rub.

Nine Your health is great, your problems seem to evaporate almost assoon as they appear. If emotional joy and material gain are not yours at

present, they soon will be.

Ten A sudden wind of change will bring you more happiness that youthought was possible. It could be meeting the person you want to spendthe rest of your life with. If you already have, then your dreams andgoals are getting closer by the day.

Swords

Ideas and communication to the fore

One Make long-term plans now and they will come to successfulfruition, so shrug off the cloak of pessimism that you have been wearingfor far too long. Remember that the past is the past, it’s the future thatcounts. Embrace it.

Two A card that heralds a time when many decisions may have to betaken, none of which are easy, one of which could help you build on thesuccess you have achieved. But which one? The two of Swords can alsopresage an upsetting communication.

Three Not a nice card. Family quarrels and squabbles are in the air, andcould become so intense that a separation of some kind results. As NoelCoward wrote, ‘There are bad times just around the corner . . .’ But don’tdespair. Remember that in Tarot, the other cards in a layout have theirown influences and that these can temper things.

Four There IS light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, you can probablyalready see it. But don’t rush towards it. Think carefully about the movesyou have to make to get there. Change, inevitable change, may be in theair. Don’t worry. Use it as the foundation stone for future plans and they

will succeed.

Five There could be a permanent break-up just around the corner,caused by someone you know taking off in a totally new and unexpecteddirection. This card can also warn that something you value materiallycould be lost or stolen.

Six You may well be feeling as if every ounce of strength has beensapped from you, having been through a really tough time. But thingsare reaching a climax, particularly at work. The card can say that arelationship is about to come to an end, and that a long journey might

be in the offing.

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Seven Setbacks will hit the plans that you have made, meaning thatthey don’t turn out as you had hoped. But these setbacks are beyondyour control so perhaps the best plan is to change direction and look atall the alternatives.

Eight If you are feeling a little below par, remember that a problem

shared is a problem halved. You can’t make constructive decisions onyour own, so ask for advice. Restrictions of some sort may be causing, orabout to cause you concern.

Nine An unfortunate card, suggesting serious illness to someone closeto you. And if you think that’s bad enough, it isn’t. There is more badnews on the way.

Ten Present circumstances may be making you feel depressed andunhappy. Plans are falling through and you don’t understand why. The

card can also suggest a long journey and that a legal matter looms largeon the horizon.

Pentacles

Matters financial, economic and concerning stability

One Things are looking up. An important document or perhapsanother sort of communication will form the basis of a new beginning.A legal matter may well be made to work to your advantage.

Two Good news is winging its way to you and changes are in theoffing that will leave you with more than one alternative. Some peoplemay try to influence you and, when you have made your mind up, putyou off the decision you eventually come to. Don’t listen to them.

Three You have worked hard for it, and now your abilities are about tobe rewarded. Financial affairs will blossom, especially if you work in alarge organization.

Four There’s a whiff of change in the air – change for the better,

putting you in command of things, able to do whatever you think is best.And not only will a decision regarding finances made now pay dividends,you could also be about to receive a generous gift.

Five You may feel like giving up. Don’t! Hang on in there: you are onthe threshold of a major accomplishment. But, some sort of legalwrangle could leave you feeling depressed and facing a loss of some kind.And remember to look after yourself: you may have been neglectingyour health recently.

Six The plans and hope you have for the future look good. An

opportunity for promotion could present itself to your long-termfinancial gain.

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Seven Be patient. There’s a change in the offing and it could comesuddenly. Important decisions will have to be made, plan carefully whenmaking them, and if you are involved in discussions of any kind, you canbe confident that things will turn out satisfactorily.

Eight If you have an idea, develop it: it could lead to you learning a new

skill that you can use to your long-term advantage.And if you are goingthrough a sticky patch financially, don’t worry too much: there will be asteady improvement.

Nine You will achieve your material goals, but be careful that youdon’t do so at the expense of emotional security. Strike a balance. All themoney in the world can’t compensate for emotional bankruptcy.

Ten There’s all-round improvement in your life. Recognition of yourabilities will lead to promotion with the accompanying rise in salary. If

you have any emotional problems, they will work themselves out, butyou may need to be patient before they do.

The court cardsThere are sixteen court cards in the Tarot pack, each suit having a king,a queen, a knight and a page. The kings are mature males, authorityfigures who embody power and paternalism, achievement and responsi-bility. If a king appears in a spread and is not recognized, it mightrepresent your own desires and ambitions. Reversed, they becomedomineering and inflexible.

Queens are mother figures and, like the kings, figures of authority withinherent fertility and wisdom. When an unrecognized queen turns up,she can stand for your nurturing side in relationships, your motives andintentions. Reversed she has a tendency to possessiveness and to livevicariously.

Knights are young men and women who are on the verge but who have

not achieved full emotional security. One who appears unrecognizedmay represent an uncharacteristic quality that is slowly developing inthe querent, be it you or another. Immaturity and a tendency to pursuedesires at the expense of others are indicated by a reversed knight.

Pages refer to children or young teenagers of either sex and mightrepresent tentative ambitions, youthful dreams and other undevelopedaspects of the querent’s personality. Reversed, they indicate childishnessin any person, regardless of age.

The King of Wands is a mature man of vision, filled with energy and

only too happy to share his wisdom with others. He enjoys life and

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expects others to do the same. Reversed, though, he presentsa selfish face to the world and his loyalty becomes open toquestion

The Queen of Wands is a wise woman, independent andauthoritative, imaginative and intuitive. She has a strong

personality and is only too happy to give assistance – butshe has to be asked first. When she is reversed, shebecomes impatient with those who show weakness andis reluctant to let others take the lead.

The Knight of Wands is a great communicator with alove of travel and risk. His powers of innovation allowhim to devise brilliant schemes. But reversed he canbe mendacious and the sort of person who flits fromproject to project, starting many and finishing none.

The Page of Wands is reliable, assiduous andstudious. He is loyal, if stoical. Reversed, however,

he is dull, unimaginative and stuck in his ways. When heshows up, he promises good news about a young relative or friend and acommunication that will contain good news.

The King of Cups is an approachable man – someone you can trust andrespect and who always puts people first and believes that people areinnately good. But he can be filled with anger and become excessivelyflirtatious when reversed.

The Queen of Cups represents fertility. She is creative, intuitive andpeace-loving, at ease and in tune with others: the sort of woman whooften has the answers to matters that are causing concern. She can bealoof, though, even when upright. Reversed she is emotionallypossessive and squanders her emotions in looking for ideal, not realfriendships.

The Knight of Cups is the Sir Galahad of the pack, the knight in shiningarmour, offering spice to life, sentiment and romance and seeking theHoly Grail of Perfection. But he is a shallow, young man to whomconsistency is a foreign word.

The Squire of Cups has his head in the clouds – a kind,generous dreamerwho is easily hurt and feels other people’s pain, too, as well as beingsensitive to their need. When he is reversed, he becomes unworldly andoversensitive to criticism.

The King of Pentacles is a practical, honest and generous man who hasmade a success of his life, working hard for his family, which is the centreof his life. You may care to listen to what he says. But reversed, he

becomes materialistic, over-cautious and obsessed with detail and shouldbe ignored.

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The Queen of Pentacles is hard-working and practical, particularly whenit comes to money. She cares for the sick and those in need, not byoffering advice, but by coming up with real solutions. Reversed she isprone to martyrdom, obsessed with order and over keen to take over.

The Knight of Pentacles is a stable character, counselling caution where

others rush in. He has a deeply felt respect for the world. He will nevertry anything unless he is absolutely sure it will work. Reversed, he lacksvision and is reluctant to explore the world beyond his own back door,

The Page of Pentacles is the sort of young man you can always dependon – reliable and hard working, loyal and steady. Reversed he becomesunimaginative and a dullard.

The King of Swords may seem rigid and unsympathetic, but he has astrong sense of responsibility and has achieved success through his use

of logic and clear thinking. When he is reversed, he is a cold, cruelcalculating pedant.

The Queen of Swords is loving and kind, but you have to dig deepbeneath the surface to find these qualities, because on the surface sheseems critical and disappointed, embittered by life experiences andsorrows. She is a powerful ally, especially in times of adversity.

The Knight of Swords is a derring-do character, challenging injusticewherever he sees it and showing courage against the most alarmingodds. A staunch and true friend. Reversed he becomes obsessive and

over-willing to sacrifice others for the causes he believes in.

The Page of Swords is a clever and humorous young person, watchfuland, despite youth, aware of injustice and of life’s limitations. Reversed,beware of his deviousness with a disregard for other’s feelings.

The complementary Arcanas

You can use all the cards in the pack to do a reading or you can use justthe Major Arcana or the Minor. Use the Major cards alone to interprettheir messages regarding your soul’s journey through life, and thearchetypal aspects of your character. A Minor reading shows how youare affected by daily issues such as home, health, family and work. Usingboth Arcanas give an in-depth perspective and an overall view of what ishappening in your life.

It is even possible to do a simple reading using just the court cards.Shuffle them and lay them face down in a circle. Select four cards,surrendering to your instincts, and place them in a pile. Dealing from the

top, place a card, face down, nearest to you. Read this, before placing the

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second card directly above the first. Repeat the process, until you havefour cards in a vertical line.

The first card, the one nearest you, is who you are now. The one aboveis who will help you. The third card tells who will oppose you. And thefourth is who you will become.

The Tarot is a complex system of divination, its meanings subtle butdeep. On a superficial level it is just another form of ‘fortune-telling’,but the cards have a deeper significance offering insights into the forcesthat are work in both your life and within your innermost self.

You have to work hard to get the most out of the Tarot, but rememberthat words are no substitute for experience and being taught by othersis no substitute for using your own instincts. Surrender to them and youwill be richly rewarded.

* * * * * * * * *

Fortune-telling with

playing cards‘Ordinary’ playing cards are derived from the Minor Arcana and courtcards of the Tarot. The first cards to arrive in Britain came from Francefive hundred years ago, probably from the city of Rouen, and the designof the cards is still based on a pattern used all those years ago. The courtcards still show figures wearing clothes that date back to the fourteenthcentury. According to legend these costumes derive from the packdesigned by Odette, the mistress of Charles VI of France, having beengiven a pack by gypsies who brought them from the East.

The suitmarks – spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs – are also French,although we have given them English names. Since they wereintroduced to Britain, what we now call ‘the English pattern’ has spreadto the United States and other English-speaking countries. In other partsof the world, playing cards have developed differently. France uses cardsthat are slightly different from ours, although the four suits remain thesame; Italy, Spain, Germany and Switzerland have packs that are allquite different. Clubs becomes Acorns in Germany and Switzerland andSwords in Italy and Spain. Diamonds are Bells in Germany and

Switzerland and Coins in Italy and Spain. Spades are Flowers inSwitzerland, Leaves in Germany and Batons in Spain and Italy. And

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Hearts are Shields in the Swiss pack, Hearts in the German one and Cupsin the other two.

What is constant is that in these, and in all other countries where cardsare played, they are used to divine the future – and, being descendedfrom the Tarot, probably always have been. The same legend that credits

Odette with designing the court cards also has it that she and her royallover were shown the oracular power of the cards by a gypsy who notonly correctly foretold events but also whispered secrets that were onlyknown to the King and his paramour. Another charming legend has itthat Napoleon used the power of the pack to divine the right moment tomount his campaign to win the heart of Josephine Beauharnais.We don’tknow what spread he used, but we do know he captured her affectionsand held them until politics demanded that he divorce her in favour of an Austrian princess.

As with the Tarot, the cards may be read for you or for anyone else andcan be used to answer a simple question or to give a more in-depthreading.

Tradition has it that cards that are to be used for divinatory purposesshould be used for no other purpose and should be wrapped in black silkwhen not in use. Some people also believe that if the cards are kept on ahigh shelf, this raises what the cards say to a level that is aboveworldliness.

If the reading is for someone else, shuffle the pack first and then give it

to the querent (some say left hand to left hand, but as usual let instinctbe your guide) to be shuffled or mixed again.

The pack is now cut three times by the querent, again with the left hand,and the cards spread out face down, either in an overlapping row or acircle. (The reason for using the left hand is that it is believed to havesymbolic access to the right side of the brain, the side that controlsintuition.) The cards to be read are then selected at random, and put inthe spread.

Any of the spreads that we looked at earlier can be used when usingordinary cards to divine the future. Among others are the one shownbelow, the mystical seven spread that reinforces the magical powers of the circle with the six-pointed star known as Solomon’s Seal, believed bymedieval alchemists to be especially powerful.

After the cards have been shuffled or mixed, seven cards are selectedfrom an overlapping circle of cards or from the complete pack – in eithercase face down.

Beginning at twelve o’clock lay the first six cards, still face down on the

six points of the Seal, working clockwise. The seventh card should beplaced in the centre.

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The first six cards are now turned over, in the order in which they wereplaced in the spread before the reading is started. Look at these cards.Does any one suit predominate? Or is one notable by its absence? Thiscan be as significant as the cards themselves. An abundance of clubs forexample may indicate that career matters are to the fore. Similarly if thesame card from each suit appears, this will also be significant. Four of the

same number indicates a heightened result; three indicate that differentforces are acting in harmony; and two of the same number can foretellconflicts of interest, reconciliation or maybe a new connection,depending on the suits.

Use your instinct to read the six cards in the order in which they weredealt, before turning over the card in the centre of the circle to revealwhat is about to happen.

Another method is, once the cards have been shuffled by both reader and

querent, to spread the cards out, face down, into a semi-circle. Ask thequestioner to select thirteen cards and put the rest of the cards to oneside. Take the baker’s dozen, turn them over one by one and read whatyour instinct and experience tell you, remembering that the cardpreceding and the card following will probably have some sort of connection.

This done, marry the thirteen cards with the rest of the pack. From nowon, only the reader must shuffle or mix the cards. Spread the cards out,face down, in a semi-circle and ask the querent to select any five cards.Turn them over one by one, explaining the significance of each one, and

again remembering the influence of the card before and the card thatfollows.

Now, put these five cards back in the pack and again shuffle them well.Ask the questioner to cut the pack into three, turn up each set and readthe top three cards in each one, again remembering the way in whichthey temper each other.

Now, with all the cards face down, shuffle the pack one last time, and askthe querent to cut the pack in half.Turn each half face up – the cards thatreveal themselves represent the final outcome of most of the querent’shopes and wishes, the problems they will encounter and the answers thatwill help them to overcome these.

The meaning of the cardsBecause, in many cases, the position of the cards can change their signif-icance, their individual and relative meanings can often be widelydifferent. What follows can only be general. But experience shows thateven so, this can be surprisingly accurate. As in most card games, the Ace

is highest in value and importance.

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Clubs

Clubs are linked with ambitions and achieving them successfully, withcareer matters, health, business partnerships, communication andexpansion. The suit also has strong connections with older, mature

people.

The Ace signifies a new beginning and fresh ambitions. New ideas willflow from you and could lead to a new perspective on old problems or achance to travel. It can also indicate that the questioner yearns to be freefrom a restrictive situation. It can also say that illness lies ahead: if followed by a heart card it will afflict someone in the immediate family.

The King combines success and ambition, innovation and communi-cation skills. But such a man can be impatient and insensitive to theneeds of others, In matters of principle he is uncompromising. Hisappearance often presages that a dark, friendly man will lend a helpinghand just when it is most needed.

The Queen is dark, gentle and pleasing. A good organizer with theenergy who embodies the old saying, ‘If you want something done, aska busy woman’. She is tactful and can usually get what she wants,without stepping on too many toes. But she can use up her energy andbecome overtired. She suggests that such a person will offer help. Trusther.

The Jack rushes from one activity to another with all the energy of youth. He is sincere but impetuous, prone to giving up if things don’t go

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well.That said, he can become over absorbed in a project when it is goingsmoothly. He foretells the appearance of a dark young man who isconfused about something. It will be to the querent’s advantage if theytry to make him feel at ease.

The ten says that a long-term goal is about to be realized and that it may

involve a change of direction and the chance to learn new skills.Whoeverdraws this card can look to the future confident that personal happinessis certain. It can also suggest a legacy from an unexpected source, butalso the loss of a good friend’s company.

The nine reflects overwhelming responsibilities leading to self-doubtand loss of confidence. So now is the time to delegate and press on withcore matters confidently and with conviction. It says that if a friendoffers advice, consider it very, very carefully before acting on it. In thelonger term, it suggests that widowhood will come but not until old age

has arrived.

The eight says that now is the time to grab sudden opportunities thatshow themselves. This could be the time to strike out on your ownbecause you are or are about to experience an upsurge in energy. It couldalso be that an invitation is about to wing its way towards you: thinktwice before accepting it. It also warns against indulging in speculationand to beware of a greedy individual.

The seven denotes personal success and satisfaction, but in achievingthis, personal principles may have to be fought for. Happiness is on the

horizon or just over it and will come with the achievement of a long-term goal. The card can also be a warning to beware the opposite sex andthat if you are asked to sign an important document, to take legal adviceif you have any doubts about it.

The six forecasts a period of calm on the work front, the perfect time totake a break and recharge your batteries. Use this time to network andestablish contacts for new ventures. If you have been under the weather,you will probably have noticed that you are feeling better, somethingthat is set to continue. If someone new is introduced into your circle,welcome them with open arms and you will make a friend for life.

The five often turns up to tell the querent that this is the time to arguetheir case, especially regarding matters outside the home. Tiredness andcarelessness brought about by the stress of being involved in otherpeople’s problems may cause accidents to happen and ill-health could beabout to lay you low. Rivals could well be particularly uncommunicativeand if you receive a letter from one, read between the lines, especially if it comes from abroad. It’s not all bad news, though. The five indicates agood and happy marriage.

The four tells you that it’s time to move on, and shake off the yokes inwhich others have bound you. It’s also a time when you have to win the

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trust of others, to establish clear communication even if in doing so youfeel you are holding yourself back. It may also be that a friend lets youdown about a promise made earlier. Before you let fly at them, find outwhy: there could be a very good reason for their change of heart.

The three says that an opportunity to expand your horizons is about to

present itself. If you have been putting off making decisions about travel,make them now. On the work front, extra commitments, new opportu-nities and the input you are expected to put into them will require allyour energy. The card can also indicate that the querent will be marriedmore than once and news that a young person is ill may be received. Butit is not too serious.

The two indicates a disappointment of some sort, but don’t give in to thetemptation to bottle things up. This could be the time to reflect onthings, and also herald a period when plans that involve others appear to

be restrictive. The card also advises that the questioner needs to work toachieve a balance between work and health, and that, to succeed, abusiness relationship may have to be reassessed.

Diamonds

Diamonds refer to practical matters – money, property in general and thehome, animals and children. The suit reflects qualities of patience.

The Ace augurs new ventures of a practical or financial nature. Itpromises a flood of prosperity and perhaps a change of home. But thesurge in prosperity that is in the air lessens if the card is followed by aspade.

The King is a reliable man on whom you can always depend and turn tofor advice, the sort of person who ensures that your life runs assmoothly as possible. He is patient and affectionate, but when he doesshow this side of his character, he does so in deeds rather than words. Theking promises a great deal of travel.

The Queen is a practical and organized woman, one often in a long-termrelationship. She is good at solving problems, particularly other people’s.She has the happy talent of making everyone feel at home. Get her onyour side and she will stick by you through thick and thin. But everycoin has two sides, and if the Queen appears hard-hearted she is not tobe trusted.

The Jack is a practical person who has youth on his side. He alwaysshows common sense and a helpful attitude to others. These attributesand the responsible way he handles money might make him seem wisebeyond his years. Like the Queen he is supportive in good times and bad.

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The ten radiates success, either financial or domestic. But if money isabout to change hands, make sure that you are in control of thesituation. The card smiles upon new plans, including a new domesticcommitment, which it ensures will be successful.

The nine counsels independent thought and action. It recommendsputting personal interests first and says that the way to success isthrough expanding the horizons and perhaps speculating a little. A newbusiness will bloom, but there may be a deal of extra work involved inmaking sure that it is firmly rooted.

The eight announces the discovery of a new skill, which might well boostthe income. It also says that there may be an unexpected change indomestic and financial arrangements. Any restless feelings experiencednow should be channelled into making tangible improvements to yourlife. A short journey with some sort of bonus at the end can also bepresaged by this card.

The seven brings harmony at home and to financial matters. It favourslong-term plans and says ‘don’t rely on common sense all the time: trustyour intuition and trust your dreams’. New happiness could well comeinto your life courtesy of children or maybe animals. There’s also thewhiff of change in the air, perhaps in the form of a new job.

The six stresses that if you receive any documents, remember that theDevil is in the detail. Avoid making too many commitments now and

keep a cautious watch on your finances, for this is a time for conservingenergies and reflecting on things rather than rushing into action. And if

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anything is going to take up more time than usual, it will be familymatters. An unexpected gift could also be coming your way.

The five may put temporary financial or practical obstacles in your pathand these may make you feel isolated or detached from life. But don’tgive up, look for advice or a new source of help, and whatever you do

don’t abandon plans: modify them, building on them to move on togreater things. Be on guard lest you lose something of value when thiscard turns up, especially if it is followed by a spade card.

The four puts limits on monetary and practical matters and makes youask whether you should keep what you have, or take a chance with it.There may be difficult decisions to be made concerning the home or thefamily, especially children. And even if the problems you face concerningproperty and money seem insoluble, hang on in there: they’re not. If youare approached by someone, especially a fair young man, and asked for a

loan a day or two after this card appears, make sure that you knowexactly what is involved.

The three suggests that a recently embarked on venture is built on solidfoundations. It can also presage a birth in the family (the chances of thisare increased many fold if the Ace turns up in the same spread). Extracommitments or responsibilities may seem something of a burden, butthey will be worth it in the long term. A disappointment regarding a

journey may be in the offing, especially if the card is followed by a club.

The two says that a new venture will turn out to be built on firm

foundations. Increased prosperity is on the cards, too, as well as theprospect of a change of address.

Hearts

This suit is linked with love and emotions, relationships andintuitions, young people who have left their teenage years behindbut have not reached forty and people, regardless of age, who are inlove.

The Ace signifies that the querent is on the brink of a new friendshipthat could blossom into romance. It also says that while one chapter inthe book in which the emotions are written may be about to close, thefirst words have been written in a new one, especially if a romance has

just come to an end. If a sudden burst of intuition has just been or isexperienced in the near future, this card says to trust it

The King indicates a charismatic, older man who has the happy knack of making people he talks to feel that they are the only people in the wholeworld who really matter. When he is faithful, he is a tender-heartedromantic, but he can wear his heart on his sleeve, so beware. The king

can also mean an altruistic type who, in accepting the burden for his

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share of the world’s troubles, puts his personal emotions on the sidelines.The Queen is an older woman who is established in a long-termrelationship. She is a caring, nurturing person who is always willing tolend an ear to those with troubles to share. And therein lies her

weakness. She has a tendency to sentimentality and is prone to lettingherself be so flooded by the sorrows and emotional needs of others thatshe drowns her own identity. And her willingness to be the emotionalblotting paper of others may mean that they never reach full emotionalindependence.

The Jack is the one who, more than other, loves being in love – but forsentiment’s sake. The card indicates a young person, or an older,emotionally vulnerable, incurable romantic who is seeking perfection.He can also stand for the querent’s best friend.

The ten indicates that when emotional happiness and fulfilment come itwill be through others. It is a lovely card to turn up indicating someonewho gives emotionally with every ounce of their being and who getstremendous satisfaction from caring. It is a card of happy marriageblessed with many children and long-term,permanent relationships. Theten of hearts alters the negativity of any adjacent bad card and makespositive ones even more so.

The nine, sometimes known as the card of the heart’s desire or the wishcard is one of self-confidence and emotional independence. It talks of happiness in love or that a new venture of some kind will bring a rise inesteem and a boost to the finances.

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The eight warns to beware of jealousy, of emotional blackmail and saysthat a strong emotional attachment could be potentially destructive andshould be brought to an end. But it can mean good news, signifying aholiday or break with a loved one or a friend whose company will bringgreat pleasure, and that one relationship is about to enter a new phase.

The seven tells you to trust your instincts and intuition, to listen to whatyour dreams are saying to you. It says that you are in tune spirituallywith those close to you and that friends and colleagues are in a mood of happy co-operation. Conversely, depending on the other cards in thespread, it can warn you to be on your guard lest someone you thoughtwas a friend turns out to be fickle and false.

The six presages a time of harmony in friendship and harmony in love.Good friends will bring a positive influence to bear on your life and if

there have been rifts brought about by differences in attitude, partic-ularly with older people, accept that differences in the way we look at lifeneed not be a barrier to friendship. The six of hearts can also herald goodnews about a child’s endeavours paying dividends.

The five foretells that misunderstandings and jealousy, albeitunfounded, may be about to cloud the horizon, but that if youcommunicate from the heart, then they won’t last for long. It says thatwhile passion is all very well it should not rule our lives. Not only that,it counsels that it is better to see a relationship for what it is and acceptit for that, rather than search for the Holy Grail. It also says that an

invitation with a romantic link may make you think twice but you canaccept it.

The four is a card that gives voice to the possibility of some sort of emotional choice having to be made, especially if there are any doubtsabout the strength of another’s commitment. It is, therefore, a card thatcan indicate a feeling of restlessness and dissatisfaction with theemotional side of our lives.The card often appears in a spread concerninga person with a deep love of art and music.

The three revels in the rivalry that love or even simple friendship (isthere such a thing as simple friendship?) can encourage. It can indicatean emotional tug o’war between two rivals for your affections, and thatthe pressure, emotional blackmail even, to which you may be subjectcould herald a period of stress, which could be intensified by thequerent’s imprudence.

The two augurs well in the love stakes, indicating that a love match isabout to be made that could lead to marriage. Friendships will deepen,long-standing quarrels mend, bridges be built and that two seeminglyunconnected aspects of life will come together in a totally unexpected

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way as long as care and attention are brought to bear.

Spades

Perhaps the most challenging of the four suits, spades are associated witholder people and with ageing in general. The suit is connected to thedidactic, formal and traditional, to coping with challenges, especiallythose that can be seen as limiting in some way and to justice.

The Ace presages that a difficult time, perhaps involving some sort of sadness, is coming to an end and that a new day dawns as new challengesopen new doors. The card also predicts an appreciation of a new form of learning. There is a bad side to this card, though, for it can foretellmisfortune and malice. One well-known sage believes that when the Ace

of Spades is facing up, news of a birth is in the offing, and converselywhen facing down, there’s a death in the air.

The King is not just an authority figure, but a harsh, disapproving andpedantic perfectionist. He may have accumulated a vast store of knowledge in his journey through life, but this only serves to make himimpatient of the mistakes other people make. If he has an Achilles heel,it is that rather than being seen as vulnerable, he appears only happy inhis own company. His appearance may signify that a legal matterconcerning a dark man may affect the querent.

The Queen, often known as the Queen of Sorrows is a critical,

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disapproving, mature woman – the office bitch, the neighbour with themalicious tongue, the music hall mother-in-law from hell. Afraid of being alone, she becomes possessive of her family and friends, all of whom she will defend tooth and nail, for loyalty is her cardinal virtue.When the Queen turns up in a spread, the querent is being warned notto trust such a woman, even if appearances suggest that he should.

The Jack is young, or immature, with a hurtful tongue, which gives voiceto his sarcastic wit, which those at whom it is not directed often findclever and very funny. But look below this sometimes malicious façadeand you may find someone who has been hurt, which is probably thereason why he is cruel and distrustful.

The ten – the card of disappointment – but temporary disappointment,for there are good times just around the corner. It can mean that eventsin some aspect of life have run their course and that a new beginning

beckons, so look to the future with optimism. The ten often turns upwhen financial worries are to the fore, news of which may be brought bya third party.

The nine says that no obstacle is insurmountable if it is approached withcourage and determination. You may think you know a little, but youknow more than you may think, so if you fear failure and rejection,there’s no need. Be confident and remember that victory has to be foughtfor, not thought about.

The eight indicates change, but only if you can cut your ties with

yesterday and view the future with confidence. Don’t be afraid to givevoice to your fears, for if you do you will see that the future has manymore possibilities than you thought possible, thanks to new contacts andpreviously unexplored avenues. The eight can also herald a time whenfrustration will turn to anger and anger to tears.

The seven says that if logic fails and expert opinion is against you,intuition is there to be your friend. Use it. Make the most of anyadvantages you have over others, even if in doing so, there could beconflict: remember, you have right on your side.

The six signifies unexpected help from officials, which ushers in a periodof unexpected calm after an unsettling time when self-doubt may havedominated thinking and actions. The card also changes things where arelationship that has been going through a bad patch is concerned, seeingit sail into much calmer waters. But, depending on the other cards, thesix of spades can also indicate that angry words with someone who is notrelated are threatened, and the words ‘think before you speak’ should bekept in mind.

The five tells you to marshal your facts and be prepared to use them if

you are to avoid the spiteful actions and dishonest dealings of others.Thefact that other people may not have the same high standards as the

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querent should not allow disillusionment to set in and cause long-laidplans to be abandoned. But seeing these through to successfulcompletion may mean that ambition succeeds at the cost of openness.The four says that inner fears based on past disappointments, perhapsbetrayal, may strew limitations and obstacles in the path of achievingambitions. Life’s little injustices may cut deep, but the wounds are soon

healed, so move forward even though doing so means taking losses thatseem unfair.

The three advises that if reason is brought to bear, rivalry and malice canbe swept to one side. It says that challenges should be accepted andobstacles will be overcome even if doing so costs time and effort. Andthings that appear trifling now will gain significance in the future.

The two is a card that indicates that a choice between unappealingalternatives may have to be made. Logic is called for, especially if the

choice concerns conflict between two acquaintances or perhaps twodistinct aspects of life. Or it could be having to choose which of twopieces of information to believe. The card can also warn to beware lestthere’s an unfortunate accident, that there may be a period of separationfrom a loved one and that spiteful gossip may hit home.

* * * * * * * * *

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It’s in your cups



Reading the tea leaves – tasseography – is often associatedwith Romany folk or with women with ‘the gift’ rather than

with mainstream divination. But it has a long and noblehistory, probably beginning not long after tea was first

drunk, in China, perhaps as early as 3000 BC. According to legend, thevery first tea leaves came from Buddha, who cut off his eyelids toprevent himself from falling asleep while he was meditating. Theseeyelids fell to earth and from them a tea bush grew!

True or not, what we do know for a fact is that tea drinking spreadthroughout the Orient and India, from whence Romany folk brought it,and the associated tea leaf divination, to Europe.

Tea was an expensive luxury in Britain (soexpensive that it was kept under lock and key

in tea caddies) until the nineteenthcentury when large quantities were

imported from India and Ceylon(present-day Sri Lanka), and sotasseography was a rare skill. But theart of divination from the dregs waspractised long before that. TheAncient Greeks probably studied the

dregs of the wineglasses for clues towhat the future held, and wheneverherbal remedies were brewed to giveto the sick, what remained in thecup would be peered at by a speywife (a Scottish expression for awoman who has divinatory skills).

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Every one who reads tea leaves has their own rituals and often their owninterpretations of what they see. Some people pour the tea into a cupthrough a strainer and either use what is there to peer into the future,or do so in association with the leaves left in the cup after it has beendrunk.

Best is a good, traditional tea, the leaves of which are separate and firm,such as Earl Grey or Darjeeling. Make the tea as you usually do – mostpeople swirl boiling water round the pot to warm it before putting thetea in – one spoon per person and ‘one for the pot’ is a steadfast recipefor a good brew.

As the tea is brewing (three to four minutes is usually enough) askwhoever has questions to ask to concentrate on them. It’s not cheating toask them what it is that concerns them. Pour the tea into plain whitecups and enjoy drinking it – don’t rush, just sip it as usual. If you want

to continue concentrating, that’s fine. If you want to enjoy a chat (aeuphemism for a good gossip), that’s all right, too, for one of the secretsof successful tea leaf reading is relaxation.

When the moment comes it’s time to get down to the business in hand.As mentioned earlier, rituals vary from person to person. One well-triedand trusted method is for the querent to take the cup in their left handand swirl it three times widdershins for a woman (clockwise for a man).The cup is then placed rim down on the saucer to drain away any tea that

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remains. The reader should then take the cup in their own left hand andinterpret the patterns the leaves have made. Again, as with all othermethods of divination, let instinct be your guide.

It’s not just the leaves that are important, the position within the cupwhere the shapes form also influences things. For convenience the cup is

divided into four quarters.

The quarter nearest the handle represents the querent. Leaves that stickto the cup in this area are concerned with him or her, their home andthose closest to them. Depending on the images, masses of leaves thatstick to the cup here could suggest that the questioner is beingoverwhelmed by responsibility for family and close friends, or it canmean that home and personal life is particularly rich.

The side opposite the handle is concerned with strangers, acquaintances

rather than friends, the workplace, travel and other matters away fromhome. A large concentration here suggests that these are the mattersthat concern the querent at the moment more than the family and thehome.

To the left of the handle (from the seer’s angle) is the area that stands forthe past, with people moving out of the querent’s ken. Unusually largeareas here indicate that things unresolved in the past are having abearing on the questioner’s life. This is reinforced if there is an especiallylarge concentration of leaves in this area, and if they are particularlydark.

The part of the cup to the reader’s right is the area where leaves gatheredrepresents upcoming events and people who are about to have aninfluence on the querent’s life. No leaves here should not be taken as abad omen, that there is no future: rather, that the questioner is moreconcerned with the present and the past than with what life holds instore.

As well as being divided into four quarters, the cup is also cut in two(metaphorically speaking) horizontally. Images close to the rim indicatethe present – days and weeks – those clinging to the lower part of the cupindicate the more distant future – months and years.

According to Romany tradition a dry cup heralds good news: but if there is a trace of liquid remaining in the cup, there will be tears beforethe week is out. Also, according to the travelling folk, the rim of the cupequated with joy and happiness, the bottom with sorrow.

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An A – Z of shapesDifferent symbols often mean different things to different readers. To

one well-known tasseographer, an acorn indicates a pregnancy, a nearbyinitial giving a clue as to who will be so blessed! To another, the samesymbol near the rim of the cup foretells financial success; in the middleit is equated with good health; and at the bottom it is an indication thatboth health and finances are due for a boost.A third reader sees the fruitof the oak tree as a general sign of health and plenty. What follows is ageneral guide to some of the symbols most commonly discerned in thecup.

Aeroplanes presage an unexpected journey that might be linked with a

disappointment in some way. It may also mean new projects and a risein status.

Anchors say that a journey will come to a successful end and that if thequerent is at present having a bumpy ride through life, stability willsoon be restored. At the top of the cup, an anchor can indicate a boost inbusiness; if it’s in the middle a voyage that boosts prosperity is indicated;and if it’s near the bottom, social success is beckoning.

Angels herald good news.

Ants suggest industry and hard work, perhaps working with others tobring a project to a happy completion.

Apples promise a rosy future in business is ahead; and as they aresymbols of fertility, they also represents good health.

Arches link the querent with marriage or long-term relationships.Someone regarded as an enemy may be about to extend the hand of friendship.

Arrows usually mean bad news. If the arrow is pointing towards thequerent, he or she may be in danger of an attack of some kind; pointingaway, they may find themselves on the offensive. BUT, there is a schoolof thought that sees arrows as the bearers of good news in career andfinancial matters . . .

Axes may see the questioner having to chop away unpleasantdifficulties.

Babies presage new interests.

Bags are a warning that a trap may be about to ensnare the querent.

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Baggage – the sort you take on holiday – can mean the obvious. But itcan also signify that the questioner is carrying about unnecessaryemotional baggage that should be dumped as soon as possible.

Balls say that the querent will soon be bouncing back from currentdifficulties. Balls can also suggest that someone involved in sport will

have a significant influence, probably bringing a changeable future.

Balls and chains are a sign that current commitments may be hard toshed, but that they need to be.

Balloons suggest that troubles may float in – but they will soon drift off again.

Baskets are a sign that can carry gifts with them. If full someone in orclose to the family could have some news of a happily pregnant kind to

impart. An empty basket, though, can mean that the questioner is givingtoo much of themselves to others, leaving his own emotional larderempty.

Bears bring with them a suggestion that travel to a foreign land is on thecards.A bear can also say that a strong ally will offer protection in a timeof oncoming need, and that they will give you the strength to resolve adifficult situation.

Bees buzz with the news that change of some sort is in store for familyor close friends.

Bells chime that marriage is in the air.

Birds sing that good news may soon be winging its way into thequerent’s life. If they are flying away from the handle, a departure couldbe round the corner, perhaps a fledgling is about to leave the nest. If theyare winging their way towards the handle, a new opportunity is on theway.

Boats are an indication that some sort of important discovery is on thehorizon. A boat also signifies a visit from a friend and flags a signal thatsoon a safe harbour will be reached.

Books, if open, suggest that startling revelations are waiting in the nextchapter of life. It also says that to move ahead, a secret may need to beshared. An open book is also a sign that legal actions could follow, butthat if they do they will come to a successful outcome. A closed bookmeans that a delay of some sort will affect plans for the future.

Boots are a sign that caution is needed, according to some with the gift.To others a boot means achievement, and that if the querent is seeking

protection for some reason, it will be theirs. But if the footwear is

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pointing away from the handle then a dismissal of some sort is in theoffing. And if they are broken, then a failure looms.

Bottles suggest that illness may lie in store, but one on its own says thatthe querent’s life will soon be bubbling over with pleasure. A full bottleis an encouraging sign to channel energy into a new challenge.An empty

one is a sign of exhaustion and that health matters may soon be a causefor concern. A half-full one? Could be half-empty! And that’s thedifference between an optimist and a pessimist.

Boxes, when open, say that any romantic problems afflicting thequestioner will soon vanish. Closed they mean that a recent lack of determination will vanish.

Branches, if in leaf, herald a birth. If bare, then disappointment of somesort looms.

Bridges present an opportunity for success that will soon cross thequerent’s path.

Brooms sweep change into life, suggesting that a good clear-out(physically and emotionally) might be no bad thing.

Buildings suggest that a change of address may be just around thecorner.

Butterflies say that innocent pleasures are about to flutter through the

questioner’s life, offering regeneration, and encouraging a carefreeattitude pays dividends.

Cages are a sign that something is holding the questioner back, but italso a sign of encouragement in that it says that the time will soon bewhen shackles can be shrugged off and it is time to move ahead.

Cannons (see guns)

Castles denote that circumstances are about to improve, especially if thequestioner harbours a desire for luxury and pampering. They can alsosay that outside events affecting people who are not members of theimmediate family are interfering with domestic happiness.

Cats bring treachery into view when they appear in the tea leaves,something that is reinforced if the feline back is arched.

Chains are a sign that links with other people will strengthen the senseof purpose.

Cherries mean that a victory of some sort is there for the taking.

Chessmen say that a short-tem project should be put to one side, and

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that it is time to plan for the long-term if looming troubles are to beovercome. They also indicate that people are manoeuvring themselvesinto position for some oncoming conflict, and that it is time for thequerent to follow their example.

Cliffs warn that the querent may be about to walk into a dangerous

situation. But they can also suggest that the time has come to castconvention aside and live a little dangerously.

Clouds darken the bright skies of life with all sorts of doubts, but theyshould clear – eventually.

Clover is always regarded as a lucky symbol in reality, and it retains itsfortunate connotations in the teacup, heralding as it does, prosperity inthe offing.

Coffins signify if not death, then a loss of some kind.

Coins are a sign that money will soon cascade into the coffers.

Cows moo of prosperity and tranquil times ahead. Enjoy them whilethey last – the herd may soon move on to pastures new.

Crowns say that honours are about to rain down on the questioner; not just honours, but maybe a legacy along with the chances of a dreamcoming true.

Daffodils are a welcome harbinger not just of spring, but of wealthwaiting just around the corner.

Daggers warn of danger, especially if impetuous actions are taken. Theycan also suggest that a sudden shock could be in store, one brought aboutby the plotting of enemies.

Dice are a sign that now is the time to take a risk and wait for the goodtimes to roll in.

Dogs, being famed for their qualities of friendship and loyalty, whenseen in the teacup say that good friends are coming the querent’s way,especially if they seem to be running towards the handle.

Donkeys are a sign that says, ‘Be patient and things will work out.’

Doors offer a potentially exciting step into the unknown that can betaken with confidence if the door is open, but not if the door is closed asthe passage floor on the other side of the door is not yet ready to betrodden upon.

Dots, as well as speaking of money-making opportunities, also underlinethe meaning of any nearby symbol.

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Drums have quarrels and disagreements, scandal and gossip in their beat,and to see them in the teacup is a call to action.

Ducks brings with them the chance perhaps to travel by water and of opportunity swimming in from abroad. Ducks can also say that if thequerent has been searching to find his natural role in life, the search may

soon be over.

Ears are a sign that the questioner should be on the alert becausemalicious rumours are being spread about him: or if they are not already,they soon will be.

Eggs signify an increase of some kind, perhaps springing from a newproject.

Eggtimers say that if the querent is faced with completing a task of some

sort, time may be running out.

Elephants are a good thing to see, signifying wisdom and a success,maybe thanks to the efforts of a trustworthy friend.

Envelopes bring with them news of some kind in the cup just as theletters they contain do in life – the main difference being that in the cup,they always mean good news.

Eyes are a warning to act carefully over the coming weeks.

Faces, when they are smiling, are a sign of happiness: but when frowningthey say that opposition will soon stand in the way of any progress inthe querent’s life.

Fans herald flirtation, maybe leading to some sort of indiscretion.

Feathers are a sign that indiscretion and instability will upset thequestioner in some way – but not too seriously.

Feet suggest that an important decision will have to be made in the nearfuture and that if it is to lead to success, then the querent will have to actquickly. Feet also say that if he or she is to find success, they may haveto look way beyond their own backyard to find it.

Fingernails point towards unfair accusations being made.

Fence – a warning that limitations are about to be imposed that willrestrict the querent’s options, perhaps because someone is beingoverprotective.

Finger – when pointing to another sign, this emphasises the second

sign’s meaning.

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Fish bring with them some sort of good fortune, often the result of somesort of lucky speculation.They can also indicate that foreign travel is onthe horizon.

Flags bring with them a warning of danger in the air, and that toovercome it the querent will need to rally resources and act

courageously.

Flowers, either a single bloom or a lovely bunch presage a celebration of some sort. Flowers also signify that the questioner will be showered withsmall kindnesses that will make life worth living. One bloom can meanthat love is about to appear, several that if the questioner is about to facean interview, there is nothing to worry about. If the flowers take theform of a garland, then recognition and promotion lie ahead.

Flies bring little, domestic irritations, nothing serious, just constantly

irksome things that will annoy the querent for some time to come.

Forks are a warning to beware flattery and false friends.

Fountains say that success lies in store for the querent. They alsoindicate that he or she is more interested in sexual passion than romanticlove.

Foxes signify sagacity and foresight. They tell the querent that if theycannot achieve their aims by using persuasion, there is nothing wrongwith subtlety even stealth, but not at the expense of honesty.

Frogs are an indication that the questioner has the happy knack of fittingin no matter where they are. Frogs can also presage some sort of change,perhaps a change of address.

Fruit is a sign of prosperous times in store (see also apples and grapes).

Gallows warn that a loss of some kind is about to hit: it might be afinancial one, or it could be that someone who was a good friend is aboutto be crossed off the querent’s Christmas card list. They can also suggestthat he or she is feeling that they are locked in a potentially dangeroussituation from which they can see no means of escape – but desperatelywant to find one. Conversely, if the questioner is not in the best of health, gallows are a sign of an upturn.

Gates can be good or bad, depending on whether they are open or closed.When open, prosperity and happiness lie ahead. But when barring theway ahead then they should be taken as a warning to be on guard againsta loss of some kind, financial maybe or perhaps a valued possession isabout to take wing.

Geese are not the most common of birds seen in the teacup, but if one ormore is recognized, take it as a signal to heed any warnings that are

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issued in the near future. Doing so will save a situation: ignore them atyour peril.

Giants foresee that a person with a magnetic and dominant personalityis about to loom into view. Giants also herald that huge strides will bemade on the career front.

Grapes presage prosperity, a sign to squeeze every ounce of opportunityfrom chances that are about to present themselves. They are a sign of good health and an augury that this is the time to indulge yourself andgive yourself a chance to make your dreams come true.

Grass suggests that something, an inner restlessness perhaps, is about tocause discontent, often with something that has to do with a long-term,but still developing situation with which the querent is involved.

Guitars presage great harmonious riffs, perhaps leading to romance. Butthey can also indicate a vain nature and a tendency to being irritablewith those whom the querent considers to be of inferior talent.

Guns say that if other people’s inertia has been harnessing progress, thennow is the time to cut the ties that bind. Guns are also a warning thatunless properly channelled, an outburst of aggression may haveunfortunate results.

Hammocks, with their associations with long summer days spentsnoozing, suspended between two trees, suggest an unconventional

nature and perhaps a desire to opt out of responsibilities and take thingseasy.

Hands that are open and outstretched say that a new friendship is aboutto be forged – and that it will be mutually beneficial. If they are closed,though, someone is about to act in a very mean way, which is quite outof character.

Hats are a signal that change is the air, perhaps in the shape of a new job.Headgear can also herald the arrival of an unexpected visitor (Romanyfolk believe that it will be an old rival making an unexpectedreappearance) or that an invitation to a formal occasion may turn up inthe post.

Heads offer a hint to be on the lookout for new opportunities that couldresult in a promotion to a new position of authority.

Hearts whisper that a new friendship is around the corner, indeed itcould already have presented itself: and it could be one that might leadto romance and, who knows, marriage. Hearts also indicate that a familysituation is developing that will need to be handled with tremendous tact

and sensitivity if it is not to end in a rift.

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Hens cluck that an older person, probably a motherly type, will come tohave an increasing influence in the querent’s life, but that her over-fussiness will become increasingly irritating.

Hills are a warning that the path ahead may become blocked, but theproblems will be little ones and easily overcome and that when they are,

long-term ambitions will be achieved. If they seem to be shrouded inmist, take this as an indication of uncertainty over which of severalmutually exclusive options that present themselves should be taken.

Horns are a welcome sign, cornucopias that will bring with them anabundance of happiness and peace.

Horses bring news of a lover, especially if just the head is seen. They arealso a sign of good news generally. If they are at full stretch, gallopingacross the cup, they indicate that it may be time to saddle up and get

travelling. If they are seen harnessed to a cart a change of job or addressis beckoning – a very advantageous one if the cart is full.

Horseshoes herald the same good luck in the cup as they did in the dayswhen one found in a lane or byway was hung up above the front door toencourage good fortune.

Houses can indicate that there is nothing to fear in the days immediatelyahead, for they bring security with them. But they can also say thatdomestic matters are about to take up an increasing amount of time.

Icebergs are a sign that someone the querent knows has hidden depthsand that if they are not recognized there could be trouble in store.

Igloos say that seeking some sort of refuge from an emotional situationmight be OK as long as it is recognized that doing so is a temporarymeasure and must not become permanent.

Initials represent the people for whom they stand and say that the signsclosest refer to them rather than the querent.

Ink spilt in the cup represent doubts that must be clarified before thequerent signs an important document, probably a legal one.

Inkpots, like ink, can have a legal aspect, indicating as they do that thereare important legal or official matters to be communicated in writing.

Insects suggest little problems will irritate the querent – nothing serious,though, just thoroughly annoying, like a buzzing bluebottle that youkeep swatting but never manage to get.

Islands have a duality of meanings. On the one hand, they can suggest

that a holiday, to an exotic location perhaps, is coming up. On the other

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hand they can say that the querent is feeling increasingly isolated,probably in some matter on the work front.

Jewels say that someone is about to bestow an unexpected gift of a verygenerous nature on the querent.

Jugs are a sign that life is about to be brimful with good health if it is notso already. That’s if they are full. Empty ones are a warning that moneyis being frittered away on unnecessary little luxuries.

Kettles whistle of domestic happiness – as long as they are near thehandle. But if they are near the bottom of the cup, then the oppositeholds true.

Keys are a sign of enlightenment and of new opportunities unless (andthere is so often an ‘unless’ in reading the leaves) there are two of them

at the bottom of the cup. If so, lock the doors and fasten the windows, forthey warn of a burglary. They also signify an increasingly independentnature, perhaps of a child about to flee the nest.

Kings can warn that an older person may act in a high-handed mannerthat could be very upsetting. But it could be that he (or she) is acting outof a genuine desire to help and should be regarded as an ally – a verypowerful one.

Kites, soaring around the cup, speak of lofty aspirations beingsuccessfully achieved.

Knives warn that a relationship is about to come to an end – the closerthey are to the top of the cup, the closer that relationship will be. At thevery top, then divorce is in the air. At the bottom, then lawsuits beckon– the closer to the bottom, the more acrimony will they bring in theirwake. Anywhere in the cup, they say, ‘Beware of false friends!’

Ladders presage that an advancement of some sort will present itself tothe querent. It could be promotion at work, or it could be somethingmore spiritual. They are also a sign that this is the time to set sightshigh.

Leaves are a welcome sign that good fortune is about to smile, bringingprosperity in its wake.Falling leaves presage that come the autumn somesort of natural turning point will be reached that will bring a surge of happiness.

Letters, the sort contained in envelopes, bring with them news from afar.

Lines have different meanings, depending on whether they are straight,slanting or curvy. Straight ones suggest progress in life, perhaps through

a journey. Slanting lines speak of failure in business. And curved, wavyones herald disappointments and uncertainty lying in wait.

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Lion – the king of the jungle, he signifies powerful friends.

Lizards were scurrying around long before our ancestors descendedfrom the trees, and as such are a sign to get in touch with primitiveinstincts and to trust them. They are also a warning to check all factsextremely carefully as the source may not be as reliable as it seems.

Looms (see spinning wheels).

Loops indicate that the path ahead is a crooked one, the end is in sight,but getting there is going to take forever as pointless disagreements andunwise decisions are going to make the journey seem as if it’s going togo on forever.

Magnets mean that a new interest will become increasingly important –and it could well be a romantic interest, meeting someone who is

magnetically attractive and absolutely irresistible.

Maps can say that a desire to travel will soon be satisfied or that well-laid plans will give life a new destination.They can also signify that aftera long period of uncertainty, life gets back on an even keel.

Maypoles, once a common sight at spring fairs, indicate that new life isstirring after a period of dormancy. They also might herald news of apregnancy or that a project started in the spring will come to a happyconclusion.

Men mean visitors, and if their arms are outstretched, then they arebearing gifts, so welcome them.

Mermaids sing that passion will lead to temptation and temptation toinfidelity and infidelity to heartbreak.

Mice, peeking out from among the leaves, squeak of oncoming poverty,perhaps as the result of theft. They also say that this is not the time tobe timid about anything and that if the initiative is taken, the benefitswill be substantial.

Mirrors might indicate that the querent is of a vain nature or that theyfeel that life is passing them by.

The Moon is one of the most often-seen symbols in the cup. If it is a fullone (moon that is, not cup) then a love affair is in the offing. If it is awaxing moon, then new projects will prosper, and if it is waning then adecline in fortune is indicated. If it is partially obscured, then, sadly,depression is about to cloud the querent’s life. And if it is surrounded bywhat look like little dots, tiny fragments of tealeaves, then marriage is inthe air – but for money, rather than love.

Moles suggest that secrecy is in the air and that when they are revealed

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they will have a significant effect on the questioner’s life. These ‘littlegentlemen in velvet waistcoats’ can also point to the fact that a falsefriend is doing something that will undermine the querent in some way.

Monks (see nuns).

Mountains can be a sign that obstacles, more serious ones than thoseindicated by hills, will appear and block the querent’s view of the future.But they also stand for high ambitions that may or may not be achieved,depending on what else is in the cup.

Nails suggest that the querent is about to be hammered by malice, painand injustice. That said, to get what is due, the querent will have to fighthard.

Necklaces suggest a secret admirer who, when he presents himself, may

turn out to be the one. A broken one, though, warns of a friendship thatmay be about to cool unless care is taken.

Needles have a trilogy of meanings. They can say that a quarrel is aboutto be settled to everyone’s satisfaction. They might suggest that the bestway to deal with jealous criticism is to brush it to one side. And lastly, if there’s a needle in the cup an unsatisfactory situation is being toleratedin the hope that something will turn up to make things better.

Nests say that domestic matters are about to come to the fore and thatsomeone is about to ask for the key to the door and become a visitor

rather than a resident.

Nets can be taken as a sign that the questioner is feeling trapped ormaybe worried about a new venture. They can also be taken to mean thatsomething that has long been looked for is about to present itself.

Numbers, close to a leaf or leaves that indicate an upcoming event in thequerent’s life, tell the number of days that will elapse before that eventwill occur. Some numbers, though, have their own meanings. Onesignposts creativity, energy and new beginnings. Two is a sign of dualityand rivalry, while at the same time sometimes promising a betrothal.Four says that now is the time to accept that resources are limited and towork within them. Five is a sign that clear communication is neededwhen dealing with others. Six is a sign of peaceful and harmonioustimes. Seven points towards the unconscious world and says that it isnow the time to put things into long-term perspective. Eight cautionsthe querent to follow convention, while nine suggests self-interest, aswell as being a sign of a project being complete satisfactorily.

Nuns are indicative of a desire to go into retreat and withdraw from lifefor a while to ponder upon the best way to achieve a path that satisfies

the material and the spiritual. The holy sisters can also represent wise

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friends who are always in the wings, waiting to help whenever calledupon.

Oars say that the time has come to stop waiting for others to help andfind a solution to whatever ails, perhaps by moving to a new house ornew job.

Octopuses suggest that danger is about to entwine the querent in itstentacles, probably because he or she has overstretched their resourcesand taken on too much either in business or in personal life. On ahappier note, they can also represent a multi-talented person who will beonly too happy to oblige.

Ostriches, well known for burying their heads in the sand when dangerthreatens, say that the questioner shares that particular trait.

Owls warn that there’s trouble perched on a nearby branch, ready toswoop down at any moment. The trouble in question could be broughtabout by gossip and scandal, or perhaps a failure of some sort.They alsowarn of neglected tasks. But they have a good meaning, too, signifyingthat a very wise person is standing by to help.

Oysters promise that the querent has hidden depths and talents that, if plumbed and used at the right time, will be a tremendous benefit.

Padlocks, when they are open offer the promise of the chance to get outof a difficult situation or to get out of an unwanted arrangement. When

they are closed, then unspoken concerns about a job or a domestic matterare starting to bring their weight to bear.

Palaces (see castles).

Palm Trees say that success will bring honour to the questioner, whomay well be feeling a need to be cherished by family and friends. Andbeing trees with exotic associations, they may be a sign that travel to asuitable exotic place is on the horizon.

Parachutes announce that help is at hand if the querent is feelingvulnerable in any way. They can also mean that fear of failure of impending disasters can be dismissed for they are completelyunfounded.

Parrots say that needless chatter and trivialities are clouding real issues.These talkative birds also warn that passing on gossip could have far-reaching and unfortunate circumstances.

Peacocks promise that the querent’s desire for a more luxurious lifestylemay be about to be fulfilled and if they are feeling proud at some recent

achievement then quite right, too. But they can also say that the vanityof friends poses a threat in some way.

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Pendulums signify that the questioner needs to put some effort intorestoring harmony with family, friends and colleagues. Anothermeaning is that there is a change of course on the cards. And a third iswarning not to take things at face value, to look below the surface toestablish the reality of a situation.

Pigs might represent a generous, extremely hospitable friend, or theycan warn that over-indulgence could lead to ill health.

Pigeons may be an annoying fact of urban living but in tasseographythey suggest that an unexpected communication will be received fromfar-off places. And that the bearer of the news is someone in whom thequerent can have absolute confidence.

Pipes presage that if careful thought is given to a problem, the solutionwill waft its way into the querent’s mind.

Pistols warn of danger and that someone will use unpleasant methods toget their own way at the expense of the questioner.

Purses presage luck or gain, depending on whether they are open orshut. They tend to turn up quite frequently in the cups of people whohave deep pockets and short arms.

Precipices (see cliffs).

Pyramids indicate a concern with healing and psychic powers. If they

appear in the leaves of someone who the readers knows has a pressingproblem, then the answer to it lies in the past not in the present.

Question marks suggest that hesitancy and caution should be thewatchwords for the coming days.

Rabbits say that speed is of the essence, especially if there are enemies toconfront. And with their association with being prolific breeders, theycan also indicate that the querent is concerned with fertility in some way.

Rainbows signify that while some wishes may be about to be fulfilled,other, more unrealistic ones, may have to be put on hold.

Rats warn the querent to be on the lookout for a vindictive, deceitfulperson who has revenge in mind. On a brighter note, they might besaying that if open-handed methods have failed the querent, then nowmight be the time to try underhand ones!

Ravens suggest that a warning may be about to be issued, and that whileit may be unwelcome, it would be unwise to ignore it. And if the querenthas been told something in confidence, it would be unwise to break it.

Rings, if they are close to the top, mean that marriage is immediately

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around the corner. In the middle, then a proposal can be expected in thenear, but not immediate future. If it is at the bottom then theengagement will be a long one, a very long one. The marriage that takesplace, be it tomorrow, next year or several years down the line will be ahappy one if the ring is complete. If it is broken, then the marriage won’tbe happy or unhappy: the engagement will be broken off before the bride

walks down the aisle.

Roads suggest that a new path is about to appear in the questioner’s life.If they are straight, fine. But a fork suggests that a choice will have to bemade – the wider the fork, the more important the choice.

Rocks strew the path ahead with obstacles and hazards. But all is not badnews, for they can be overcome without too much difficulty, and better,it may be that they can be used as building bricks or stepping stones toa better future with a little careful thought.

Scales, of the weighing rather than the fishy kind, are a sign of justiceand judgement. The ancient Egyptians believed that after death, theheart of the deceased was weighed against a feather to find out if theyqualified for the afterlife. The oncoming judgement foretold by scales inthe cup will not have such an eternal result – but it could be significant

just the same. Balanced ones suggest a just, fair decision will bringbenefits, unbalanced ones that the questioner will suffer throughinjustice.

Scissors presage domestic arguments and worse that they will become so

bitter that separation is on the cards.

See-saws can mean that mood swings will see the querent lightheadedwith happiness one minute, down in the dumps the next. They can alsoindicate that the swings and roundabouts of life will make it hard toachieve a proper sense of balance.

Sharks say that some force may be required if attacks from anunexpected source are to be repelled with any chance of success.

Shells mean that good news is coming in with the tide.They also indicateintuitive wisdom and tell the questioner not only to listen to the innervoice that is called instinct, but to act on it.

Ships can say that an increase is on the horizon. They can also suggestthat if the querent is worried about something he can cast any doubtsoverboard, because it will come to a successful conclusion.

Snakes have the well-known ability to shed their skins. Their appearancein the teacup suggests that it is time for the querent to, metaphoricallyspeaking, get rid of current burdens and responsibilities and slide,

regenerated, towards the future.

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Spiders suggest to some readers that someone is spinning a web of subterfuge that will soon enmesh the questioner. To others it says thatpersistence will pay off financially.

Spinning wheels say two things. The good news is that they say thatcareful planning and consistent industry will bring good results.The bad

news is that they can point to the fact that someone is plotting behindthe scenes to the querent’s detriment.

Squares were once seen as signs of restriction, but are now generallytaken to mean that protection is there for the asking, if need be. Theyalso say that if the querent uses the near future to lay down some long-term plans, it will lead to a boost of financial and material prospects.

Squirrels, as one might expect, carry the message that people who savefor the future have less to worry about than spendthrifts who live for

today and to hell with tomorrow.

Stars can shine with messages of hope, particularly where health mattersare concerned. If they have five points good fortune in general is therefor the asking. But if the star is an eight-pointed one, accidents will causereversals. If there are five stars a-twinkling in the cup, then success willcome, but it will not bring any happiness. And seven stars say that grief may be about to strike.

The Sun says that the grey skies of disappointment will soon clear andhappiness will beam down on the querent, bringing with it success and

perhaps power. The Sun can mean, too, that the next summer will be anespecially happy one, perhaps involving travel to a sunny destination.

Swords suggest that the querent should prepare himself for quarrels anddisputes.

Tables indicate that social life is about to take a lively upturn.

Teapots presage meetings – long, boring ones which will make thequerent come to the widely held belief that any meeting of more thantwo people is a complete waste of time.

Tents indicate a love of adventure, but one that could lead to an unsettledlife.

Telescopes say that the answers to present mysteries will soon berevealed, but that the answers lie outside the immediate environment.

Tortoises with their associations with longevity say that while successcan be achieved, it will be a long time a-coming. They also indicate a loveof tradition.

Towers can imply that the querent is feeling restricted in some way,

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unless they have steps, in which case they lead to a rise in status and aboost to the finances. A tower that is incomplete suggests that plans arenot yet finished – and never will be.

Trees augur a growth in prosperity, brought about by long-heldambitions coming to happy fruition. Romany folk believe that if the tree

is surrounded by smaller leaves, then these ambitions will be realized inthe country, or at least they will be associated with it in some way.

Triangles can mean unexpected success or unexpected failure, dependingon the way the triangle is pointing. Upwards is good: downwards bad,unless the querent realizes that there is still time to grab an opportunitythat is just about to slip from his grasp.

Tunnels promise that present confusion and setbacks will soon be sweptaway, but only if the querent probes in the right places.

Turtles (see tortoises).

Unicorns offer the promise of magical insights that illumine thequerent’s life in some way. They also promise that unusual andunexpected opportunity is on the horizon.

Umbrellas suggest that little annoyances are about to shower on thequestioner. They also signify a need for shelter. If they are open, thenthat shelter will be found; if the umbrella is rolled up, then it will not be.

Vans bring movement in their wake.

Violins (see guitars).

Volcanoes presage that an eruption of passion will soon sweep thequerent off her feet. They often appear when the person whose leavesare being read is one who is seething with anger, but is determined notto let it show.

Walking sticks herald the arrival of a visitor.

Waterfalls bring prosperity with them.

Weathervanes point to inconsistent and indecisive friends. They warnthe querent to be on the lookout for signs of change that if recognizedand acted on when the time is right, will lead to some benefit.

Webs, like their weavers, the spider, are a sign that deceit and subterfugewill have a significant bearing on the querent’s life.

Whales promise the successful fulfilment of a big undertaking. They

offer commercial and professional success, the latter especially if thequerent is involved in one of the caring professions.

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Wheels, if they are complete, say that good fortune is about to roll in. If they are near the rim of the cup, then the good fortune will come in theform of an unexpected legacy or win of some sort. But if the wheel isbroken then disappointments loom.

Windows can mean good luck or bad luck depending on whether they

are open or shut. They may offer new insights or a chance to explorenew horizons, unless they are curtained, in which case they point to thefact that other people’s narrow horizons are holding the querent back insome way.

* * * * * * * * *

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It’s in the crystal



Think of divination and one of the images that probablycomes to mind is that of an old crone peering into a crystal

ball and making relevant what she sees in it to whicheverquestion has been put to her. Not something to be taken

seriously. Something that whiled away half an hour on a rainy afternoonduring a traditional British seaside holiday, in the days before cheapforeign travel whisked those of us who live in grey-skied northernclimes to sunnier destinations.

This image of the crystal gazer has probably done more to harmdivination’s reputation than any other, which is sad because crystalgazing has a long and honourable tradition as part of scrying, usingcrystals, mirrors, flames and water to peer into the future.

Crystal gazing has its roots in prehistory, when the tribe member whowas credited with the gift of seeing peered into a reflective surface todiscern what lay round the corner. It was not necessarily a crystal: astretch of calm, still water served the purpose just as well.

In slightly more modern times, Nostradamus, the famous seer whoseprophesies continue to unfold many centuries after his death, would sitalone at night, gazing into a bowl of water held in a brass tripod and litby a candle. In the mirror-like surface he saw his visions, that are still

relevant in our lifetime. His English contemporary, Dr John Dee, whosedivinatory talents were recognized by Queen Elizabeth I, used a shinyblack obsidian mirror to help in his prophesying.

Traditionally, the ball used for crystal gazing should be a gift fromsomeone with the talent, but nowadays they are easily available in avariety of crystals – clear or smoky quartz, beryl, and obsidian are themost popular – and glass from specialist shops. Glass ones should beexamined particularly closely for any blemishes or bubbles that could bedistracting.

When buying one, the mood should be relaxed and receptive, anatmosphere encouraged in ‘New Age’ shops not just by the incense thatis often burned there, but by the positive vibrations given off by staff and fellow customers. Handle several crystal balls, which are usuallyabout four inches (ten centimetres) in diameter. How do they fit in thehand? Are they perfectly plain spheres or do they have angles and planeswithin them. Most people find that when they go to buy their crystalball, they keep returning to one, no matter how many they look at andhandle. If this happens, that is the ball to buy.

To prepare the ball, wash it in a mild solution of vinegar and water, thenpolish it with a soft cloth. When it is not being used, the ball should be

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wrapped in a cloth to keep it out of direct sunlight, which affectssensitivity: and it should not be handled by anyone other than the user.Some gazers unwrap their crystal ball and put it in a moonlit placeduring a full Moon, which they believe enhances the crystal’s power.

Crystals pick up vibrations when handled by other people. If someone

else is to handle another’s crystal ball, the hands must be cupped aroundit, and after use, the ball should either be washed in vinegar or water, orheld under running water while visualizing it surrounded with bright,shining light. That done, it should be wrapped in silk or velvet until it isto be used again.

How they workWhen gazing into a crystal ball, intuition should be focused, the rationalmind suspended. Light reflects off the crystal, catching the eye andholding it firm. It’s not long before the eyes go slightly out of focus, theball mists over and within the mist images form. These images areprojections from the gazer’s mind or inner crystal.

The room should be quiet, a place where the gazer will not be disturbed,

and gently lit, in the words of one gazer, ‘like daylight on a wet, cloudyday’. Some people use candlelight to achieve this, others swathe thelamps with a suitable (flame-retardant) cloth.

It is essential that the gazer is in a relaxed state of mind beforebeginning: some people can achieve this by deep breathing, others usevisualizing techniques. As this is being achieved, the crystal should beheld in the hands for a few moments to attune the ball to the gazer’svibrations. At the same time, questions can be framed, and safe solutionsconsidered but not pondered on too deeply.

The ball is now placed on a black silk or velvet cloth, and perhapspartially surrounded with a black velvet or silk curtain or screen. Nowfocus on the crystal, until the eyes go out of focus, the mist appears andimages appear within it. These images must not be forced: they shouldarise naturally. The images may appear in the ball or in the mind’s eye.Even meaningless ones might have significance, so write everythingdown as it arises.

It takes time and concentration to gaze successfully into the crystal. Butnot too much time, and learning to concentrate properly is a talent that

has many other applications, so it is well worth the effort. The first

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occasion should last no longer than ten minutes, gradually increasing thetime of each session, at first to fifteen minutes, then twenty and so on,but no session should ever last longer than one hour. Time each sessionwith a watch or clock positioned so that you can see its face, but will notbe distracted by its ticking.

The presence of another person distracts concentration, at least at first.With experience comes the ability to answer the questions of others, aslong as they are asked in a low, hushed voice.

Gazers often find that small glittering points of light appear in the mist,before the mist clears, and what has been described as an ocean of bluespace appears, within which visions appear. These visions are sometimessymbolic, the meaning of the symbols being similar to those seen intealeaf reading (that section in this book), or they may be scenic. Visionsthat appear in the background lie further ahead than those that are to the

front, which denote the present of the immediate future.

When images come, no effort should be made to keep them there: theyshould be allowed to come and go, ebbing and flowing like the tide, withno attempt being made to control them.

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Crystals clearCrystal ball reading is not the only use to which crystals can be put for

divination. An assortment of small crystals kept in a special bag can alsobe used. The simplest way is to shake the bag, and while focusing on thequestion to be asked, take out the first two or three that the fingerstouch. As they are drawn, take a moment or two to see if the answercomes spontaneously to mind, before looking up the meaning of thecrystals.

More complex questions can be answered and guidance for the futuregained by using crystals in any suitable Tarot spread. And boards on towhich crystals are thrown are available from specialist shops: the

combination of the answers on the board and the sagacity of the crystalshave satisfied countless users.

Generally, red, yellow, orange and sparkling-white (hot-coloured) stonescontain a great deal of creative energy and indicate that some action isindicated with regard to the area with which the particular stone isassociated. Green, blue, purple, pink and pearly white stones reflectspiritual desires, thoughts and emotions.

The associations of some of the more common crystals are as follows:

Agate Success in worldly mattersAmethyst Shifts in consciousness and life changesBlack Agate Prosperity and courageRed Agate Longevity and good healthAventurine Growth and expansionBlue Lace Agate A need for healingCitrine Wisdom in celestial mattersDiamond PermanenceEmerald FertilityJade Immorality and perfectionRed Jasper Worldly affairsLapis Lazuli Favoured by the divineClear Quartz Self-healing and loveRuby Passion and powerSapphire Chastity and truthSnowflake Obsidian Closure of a challenging timeTiger’s Eye The need to look beneath the surfaceWhite Quartz Change of a profound natureUnakite Integration and composure

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It’s in the east



Counting among their number some of the oldest civilizationsin the world, it should come as no surprise that divination has

been practised in Asia and the sub-continent of India forthousands of years. And it still is. Whereas the vast majority

in the West pay scant attention to divination (although even the mostcynical office workers will still borrow a colleague’s tabloid newspaperand read their horoscope given half a chance) to millions of Chineseastrology and the I Ching are as much a part of everyday life as havingtwo pints of milk delivered every day remains to millions of Englishhouseholds. And in India, in 2003 when Hindu priests and astrologerswarned that the planet Jupiter, ‘the star [sic] of prosperity’ was in thewrong house, countless thousands of weddings that had been scheduledfor the relevant months were cancelled.

* * * * * * * *

Chinese astrology is perhaps the oldest form of divination that is stillperformed today, although to be strictly accurate it is a form of philosophical guidance rather than astrology in the western sense of theword. Whereas the astrology that has come to us from ancient Babylonis concerned with mapping out events that may or may not happen inthe future, Chinese astrology is concerned with the whole person.

Thousands of years ago, the lives of the people who lived in the YellowRiver Valley were subject to the same caprices of the heavens. Theysuffered floods and hailstorms, searing heat and devastating droughts –all of which were blamed on the movements of the stars and the planets.Some of the earliest recorded documents, dating from the period,correlate natural events to heavenly happenings. A flood may occurduring an eclipse of the Moon, a drought may have hit when one orother of the planets could be seen in a particular place in the night sky,As more and more events were recorded over the centuries, a vast bodyof knowledge about the cyclical nature of the universe was perceived.

Between 1500 and 1100 BC the sages who recorded and pondered theseevents were thought to have divinatory powers, which saw thempromoted to important positions of political power and influence. Beingaware of the psychology of the ordinary people, these wise, andambitious, men evolved a social system that came eventually to becodified by philosophers such as Confucius and Lao-tze, who, to use amodern expression, put their own spin on things. They believed that if the known universe was influenced by recognizable cycles, then, byextension, so, too, was the nature of man. In a perfect world, thephilosophers decreed, everyone would live for sixty years, which were

divided by the five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water –resulting in twelve earthly branches, which would then evolve into

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twelve years each of which was assigned an animal. Each animal sign wasthen divided into lunar months, each of which, in turn, was ascribedspecific attributes.

In Chinese astrology, the celestial bodies recorded in the secondmillennium BC, follow the same paths through the heavens today,

continuing to influence us now as they did the men and women whotoiled in the Yellow River Valley all those years ago.

As with many things Chinese – philosophy, medicine and astrology tomention but three – the basic concept that underlines ancient andmodern thought and practice is Yin and Yang. They combine to make upthe life force, Qi. In his famous book Canon of Internal Medicine, theYellow Emperor claims that Yin and Yang constitute the basic principlethat governs the entire universe, so it is not surprising that the years andmonths of the Chinese calendar have Yin and Yang aspects.

Yin is soft, dark, cold wet, its symbol a cloud-topped mountain. Yang ishard, bright, hot and dry, its symbol a sun at the centre of a crown of shining rays. In medicine, perfect health depends on achieving a balancebetween the two, as does perfect peace of mind. In Chinese astrology aYin year can modify a Yang month and a Yang month a Yin year,something that has to be taken into account when using Chineseastrology to divine the future.

Chinese astrology is based on years consisting of twelve months runningin cycles of twelve years. Each twelve-month period is named after an

animal which rules for a year before bowing to the next in the cycle. Inthe beginning these twelve cycles were simply referred to as the TwelveBranches, but slowly they were ascribed the characteristics of twelveanimals. Why these twelve animals? One legend has it that Buddhainvited all the beasts in the animal kingdom to celebrate the New Yearwith him, but only twelve arrived. The Buddha rewarded them bynaming a year in their honour, the Rat having been the first to arrivewas accorded the honour of having the first year in the cycle named afterhim: the last year was named after the last animal to arrive – the Pig. Butthere is no mention of these animals in the texts of the Han Dynasty,which was at its peak 500 years after the Buddha was alive.A more likelyexplanation is offered by those who believe the names were taken toChina from Central Asia, perhaps as recently as AD 800.

The twelve years are the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon,the Snake, the Horse, the Ram, the Monkey, the Rooster, the Dog and thePig. The Dragon is the only mythological beast in the menagerie andalthough it is a frightening beast to westerners, to the Chinese it is seenas a something of a benefactor. Each of the animals has a well-definednature (not necessarily the same to the Chinese as it is to us) and peopleborn in the year of a particular animal are thought to possesses its

qualities.

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Because the Chinese calendar is a combination of lunar and solar activity,the starting and finishing dates of each year vary from year to year. TheChinese New Year starts on the first day of the first Moon (see below),usually at the end of January or beginning of February. And whereas thewestern calendar adds an extra day to every fourth February to balancethe monthly lunar cycle with the solar year, the Chinese add an extra

month every seven years over a nineteen-year cycle. Therefore it is notpossible to ascribe an exact western year to each of the signs in theChinese horoscope. Someone born in 1995 may be a Dog if he was bornbetween 1 January and 31 January that year or a Pig if she was born onor after that date.

Once the animal sign has been determined and general character traitsidentified, it is possible to refine things by taking into account thepatterns suggested by the Mansions of the Moon, the romantic phrasethe Chinese use to describe the twelve lunar divisions that make up each

Chinese year.

Things are refined even further when the elements are taken intoaccount. Each year is ascribed one of the five elements – Water, Fire,Earth, Metal and Wood – each of them straddling two years in successionbefore ceding power to the next in line. So, whereas all Rabbits sharecommon attributes, they are not necessarily influenced by the sameelement. A Fire Dragon will be different in some way from an Earth one,and a Metal Monkey will have characteristics distinct from a WaterMonkey.

Generally, Metal people tend to be rigid and do not give in easily. So,while all Oxen can be stubborn, a Metal Ox will be even more so. Metalpeople also insist on honesty and expect a great deal from theirprospective partners. They may be remarkable for their strength of character, but, oh, how they like to dominate.

Water tends to lend creativity to a sign. It is a compassionate elementand while those born under a sign whose subjects have a tendency to becaustic, if they have water as their element, this quality is diluted. Wateralso makes lovers yielding and easily influenced by their partners.

Wood and consideration go hand in hand, the element encouragingwarmth, generosity and co-operation. Those with Wood as their elementwill usually try hardest of all to see another’s point of view.

Fire is the most dynamic of the five elements. When it is attached to asign, the upside is that it encourages a sense of honour while thedownside is that it can cause an inflexible temperament.

Earth people are hard workers, especially in making others see theirpoint of view. They are patient, especially when they fall in love, willing

to wait for their affections to be returned, whereas other signs wouldgive up and search elsewhere. Earth people can also be stubborn.

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The first chart immediately below shows the Chinese Year from 1936 to2011. The one below that will help to identify the Mansions of theMoon. By consulting this chart, someone born on 16 November 1945will find that the tenth Moon started on November 5 and finished onDecember 5. They were, therefore, born in the tenth Moon.

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Chart of the yearsYear From – To Element Animal

1936 24 Jan 1936 – 10 Feb 1937 Fire Rat1937 11 Feb 1937 – 30 Jan 1938 Fire Ox1938 31 Jan 1938 – 18 Feb 1939 Earth Tiger1939 19 Feb 1939 – 07 Feb 1940 Earth Rabbit1940 08 Feb 1940 – 26 Jan 1941 Metal Dragon

1941 27 Jan 1941 – 14 Feb 1942 Metal Snake1942 15 Feb 1942 – 04 Feb 1943 Water Horse1943 05 Feb 1943 – 24 Jan 1944 Water Sheep1944 25 Jan 1944 – 12 Feb 1945 Wood Monkey1945 13 Feb 1945 – 01 Feb 1946 Wood Rooster1946 02 Feb 1946 – 21 Jan 1947 Fire Dog1947 22 Jan 1947 – 09 Feb 1948 Fire Pig1948 Feb 10, 1948 – Jan 28 1949 Earth Rat1949 29 Jan 1937 – 16 Feb 1950 Earth Ox1950 17 Feb 1950 – 05 Feb 1951 Metal Tiger1951 06 Feb 1951 – 26 Jan 1952 Metal Rabbit

1952 27 Jan 1952 – 13 Feb 1953 Water Dragon1953 14 Feb 1953 – 02 Feb 1954 Water Snake1954 03 Feb 1954 – 23 Jan 1955 Wood Horse1955 24 Jan 1955 – 11 Feb 1956 Wood Sheep1956 12 Feb 1956 – 30 Jan 1957 Fire Monkey1957 31 Jan 1957 – 17 Feb 1958 Fire Rooster1958 18 Feb 1958 – 07 Feb 1959 Earth Dog1959 08 Feb 1959 – 27 Jan 1960 Earth Pig1960 28 Jan 1960 – 14 Feb 1961 Metal Rat1961 15 Feb 1961 – 04 Feb 1962 Metal Ox1962 05 Feb 1962 – 24 Jan 1963 Water Tiger1963 25 Jan 1963 – 12 Feb 1964 Water Rabbit1964 13 Feb 1964 – 01 Feb 1965 Wood Dragon1965 02 Feb 1965 – 20 Jan 1966 Wood Snake1966 21 Jan 1966 – 08 Feb 1967 Fire Horse1967 09 Feb 1967 – 29 Jan 1968 Fire Sheep1968 30 Jan 1968 – 16 Feb 1969 Earth Monkey1969 17 Feb 1969 – 05 Feb 1970 Earth Rooster1970 06 Feb 1970 – 26 Jan 1971 Metal Dog1971 27 Jan 1971 – 15 Feb 1972 Metal Pig1972 16 Feb 1972 – 02 Feb 1973 Water Rat

1973 03 Feb 1973 – 22 Jan 1974 Water Ox1974 23 Jan 1974 – 10 Feb 1975 Wood Tiger



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Year From – To Element Animal

1975 11 Feb 1975 – 30 Jan 1976 Wood Rabbit1976 31 Jan 1976 – 17 Feb 1977 Fire Dragon1977 18 Feb 1977 – 06 Feb 1978 Fire Snake1978 07 Feb 1978 – 27 Jan 1979 Earth Horse1979 28 Jan 1979 – 15 Feb 1980 Earth Sheep

1980 16 Feb 1980 – 04 Feb 1981 Metal Monkey1981 05 Feb 1981 – 24 Jan 1982 Metal Rooster1982 25 Jan 1982 – 12 Feb 1983 Water Dog1983 13 Feb 1983 – 01 Feb 1984 Water Pig1984 02 Feb 1984 – 19 Feb 1985 Wood Rat1985 20 Feb 1985 – 08 Feb 1986 Wood Ox1986 09 Feb 1986 – 28 Jan 1987 Fire Tiger1987 29 Jan 1987 – 16 Feb 1988 Fire Rabbit1988 17 Feb 1988 – 05 Feb 1989 Earth Dragon1989 06 Feb 1989 – 26 Jan 1990 Earth Snake1990 27 Jan 1990 – 14 Feb 1991 Metal Horse

1991 15 Feb 1991 – 03 Feb 1992 Metal Sheep1992 04 Feb 1992 – 22 Jan 1993 Water Monkey1993 23 Jan 1993 – 09 Feb 1994 Water Rooster1994 10 Feb 1995 – 30 Jan 1995 Wood Dog1995 31 Jan 1995 – 18 Feb 1996 Wood Pig1996 19 Feb 1996 – 06 Feb 1997 Fire Rat1997 07 Feb 1997 – 27 Jan 1998 Fire Ox1998 28 Jan 1998 – 15 Feb 1999 Earth Tiger1999 16 Feb 1999 – 04 Feb 2000 Earth Rabbit

2000 05 Feb 2000 – 23 Jan 2001 Metal Dragon2001 24 Jan 2001 – 11 Feb 2002 Metal Snake2002 12 Feb 2002 – 31 Jan 2003 Water Horse2003 01 Feb 2003 – 21 Jan 2004 Water Sheep2004 22 Jan 2004 – 09 Feb 2005 Wood Monkey2005 09 Feb 2005 – 28 Jan 2006 Wood Rooster2006 29 Jan 2006 – 17 Feb 2007 Fire Dog2007 18 Feb 2007 – 06 Feb 2008 Fire Pig2008 07 Feb 2008 – 25 Jan 2009 Earth Rat2009 26 Jan 2009 – 13 Feb 2010 Earth Ox2010 14 Feb 2010 – 02 Feb 2011 Metal Tiger

2011 03 Feb 2011 – 22 Feb 2012 Metal Rabbit



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Calculating the moon month

Year 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th

1936 24.1 23.2 23.3 21.5 19.6 18.7 17.8 16.9 15.10 14.11 14.12 13.1.371937 11.2 13.3 11.4 10.5 9.6 8.7 6.8 5.9 4.10 3.11 3.12 2.1.381938 31.1 3.2 1.4 30.4 29.5 28.6 27.7 24.9 23.10 22.11 22.12 20.1.391939 19.2 21.3 20.4 19.5 17.6 17.7 15.8 13.9 13.10 11.11 11.12 9.1.401940 8.2 9.3 8.4 7.5 6.6 5.7 4.8 2.9 1.10 31.10 29.11 29.12.401941 27.1 26.2 28.3 26.4 26.5 25.6 23.8 21.9 20.10 19.11 18.12 17.1 421942 15.2 17.3 15.4 15.5 14.6 13.7 12.8 10.9 10.10 8.11 8.12 6.1.43

1943 5.2 6.3 5.4 4.5 3.6 2.7 1.8 31.8 29.9 29.10 27.11 27.12.431944 25.1 24.2 24.3 23.4 21.6 20.7 19.8 17.9 17.10 16.11 15.12 14.1.451945 13.2 14.3 12.4 12.5 10.6 9.7 8.8 6.9 6.10 5.11 5.12 3.1.46.1946 2.2 4.3 2.4 1.5 31.5 29.6 28.7 27.8 25.9 25.10 24.11 23.12.461947 22.1 21.2 21.4 20.5 19.6 18.7 16.8 15.9 14.10 13.11 12.12 11.1.481948 10.2 11.3 9.4 9.5 7.6 7.7 5.8 3.9 3.10 1.11 1.12 30.12.481949 29.1 28.2 29.3 28.4 28.5 26.6 26.7 22.9 22.10 20.11 20.12 18.1.501950 17.2 18.3 17.4 17.5 15.6 15.7 14.8 12.9 11.10 10.11 9.12 8.1.511951 6.2 8.3 6.4 6.5 5.6 4.7 3.8 1.9 1.10 30.10 29.11 28.12.511952 27.1 25.2 26.3 24.4 24.5 22.7 20.8 19.9 19.10 17.11 17.12 15.1.531953 14.2 15.3 14.4 13.5 11.6 11.7 10.8 8.9 8.10 7.11 6.12 5.1.541954 3.2 5.3 3.4 3.5 1.6 30.6 30.7 28.8 27.9 27.10 25.11 25.12.541955 24.1 22.2 24.3 22.5 20.6 19.7 18.8 16.9 16.10 14.11 14.12 13.1.561956 12.2. 12.3 11.4 10.5 9.6 8.7 6.8 5.9 4.10 3.11 2.12 1.1.571957 31.1 2 .3 31.3 30.4 29.5 28.6 27.7 25.8 23.10 22.11 21.12 20.1.581958 18.2 20.3 19.4 19.5 17.6 17.7 15.8 13.9 13.10 11.11 11.12 9.1.591959 8.2 9.3 8.4 8.5 6. 6.7 4.8 3.9 2.10 1.11 30.11 30.12.591960 28.1 27.2 27.3 26.4 25.5 24.6 22.8 21.9 20.10 19.11 18.12 17.1.611961 15.2 17.3 15.4 15.5 13.6 13.7 11.8 10.9 10.10 8.11 8.12 6.1.621962 5.2 6.3 5.4 4.5 2.6 2.7 31.7 30.8 29.9 28.10 27.11 27.12.621963 25.1 24.2 25.3 24.4 21.6 21.7 19.8 18.9 17.10 16.11 16.12 15.1.64

1964 13.2 14.3 12.4 12.5 10.6 9.7 8.8 6.9 6.10 4.11 4.12 3.1.651965 2.2 3.3 2.4 1.5 31.5 29.6 28.7 27.8 25.9 24.10 23.11 23.12.651966 21.1 20.2 22.3 20.5 19.6 18.7 16.8 15.9 14.10 12.11 12.12 11.1.671967 9.2 11.3 10.4 9.5 8.6 8.7 6.8 4.9 4.10 2.11 2.12 31.12.671968 30.1 28.2 29.3 27.4 27.5 26.6 25.7 22.9 22.10 20.11 20.12 18.1.69



Year 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th

1969 17.2 18.3 17.4 16.5 15.6 14.7 13.8 12.9 11.10 10.11 9.12 8.1.701970 6.2 8.3 6.4 5.5 4.6 3.7 2.8 1.9 30.9 30.10 29.11 28.12.701971 27.1 25.2 27.3 25.4 24.5 22.7 21.8 19.9 19.10 18.11 18.12 16.1.721972 15.2 15.3 14.4 13.5 11.6 11.7 9.8 8.9 7.10 6.11 6.12 4.1.731973 3.2 5.3 3.4 3.5 1.6 30.6 30.7 28.8 26.9 26.10 25.11 24.12.731974 23.1 22.2 24.3 22.4 20.6 19.7 18.8 16.9 15.10 14.11 14.12 21.1.751975 11.2 13.3 12.4 11.5 10.6 9.7 7.8 6.9 5.10 3.11 3.12 1.1.76

1976 31.1 1.3 31.3 29.4 29.5 27.6 27.7 25.8 23.10 21.11 21.12 19.1.77977 18.2 20.3 18.4 18.5 17.6 16.7 15.8 13.9 13.10 11.11 11.12 9.1.781978 7.2 9.3 7.4 7.5 6.6 5.7 4.8 3.9 2.10 1.11 30.11 30.12.781979 28.1 27.2 28.3 26.4 26.5 24.6 23.8 21.9 21.10 20.11 19.12 18.1.801980 16.2 17.3 15.4 14.5 13.6 12.7 11.8 9.9 9.10 8.11 7.12 6.1.811981 5.2 6.3 5.4 4.5 2.6 2.7 31.7 29.8 28.9 28.10 26.11 20.12.811982 25.1 24.2 25.3 24.4 21.6 21.7 19.8 17.9 17.10 15.11 15.12 14.1.831983 13.2 15.3 13.4 13.5 11.6 10.7 9.8 7.9 6.10 5.11 4.12 3.1.841984 2.2 3.3 1.4 1.5 31.5 29.6 28.7 27.8 25.9 24.10 22.12 21.1.851985 20.2 21.3 20.4 20.5 18.6 18.7 16.8 15.9 14.10 12.11 12.12 10.1.861986 9.2 10.3 9.4 9.5 7.6 7.7 6.8 4.9 4.10 2.11 2.12 31.12.861987 20.1 28.2 29.3 28.4 27.5 26.6 24.8 23.9 23.10 21.11 21.12 19.1.881988 17.2 18.3 16.4 16.5 14.6 14.7 12.8 11.9 11.10 9.11 9.12 8.1.891989 6.2 8.3 6.4 5.5 4.6 3.7 2.8 31.8 30.9 29.10 28.11 28.12.891990 27.1 25.2 27.3 25.4 24.5 22.7 20.8 19.9 18.10 17.11 17.12 16.1.911991 15.2 16.3 15.4 14.5 12.6 12.7 10.8 8.9 8.10 6.11 6.12 5.1.921992 4.2 4.3 3.4 3.5 1.6 30.6 30.7 28.8 26.9 26.10 24.11 24.12.921993 23.1 21.2 23.3 21.5 20.6 19.7 18.8 16.9 15.10 14.11 13.12 12.1.941994 10.2 12.3 11.4 11.5 9.6 9.7 7.8 6.9 5.10 3.11 3.12 1.1.951995 31.1 1.3 31.3 30.4 29.5 28.6 27.7 26.8 24.10 22.11 22.12 20.1.961996 19.2 19.3 18.4 17.5 16.6 16.7 14.8 13.9 12.10 11.11 11.12 9.1.97

1997 7.2 9.3 7.4 7.5 5.6 5.7 3.8 2.9 2.10 31.10 30.11 30.12.971998 28.1 27.2 28.3 26.4 26.5 23.7 22.8 21.9 20.10 19.11 19.12 17.1.991999 16.2 18.3 16.4 15.5 14.6 13.7 11.8 10.9 9.10 8.11 8.12 7.1.002000 5.2 6.3 5.4 4.5 2.6 2.7 31.7 29.8 28.9 27.10 26.11 26.12.002001 24.1 23.2 25.3 23.4 21.6 21.7 19.8 17.9 17.10 15.11 15.12 13.01.02

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A menagerie of different

charactersAs with western astrology, one of the main ways in which the Chineseput their beliefs into practice is to ascribe different personality traits toeach sign, map out the future of those born under them and see whichsigns are compatible in matters romantic and which should be avoided.With a population of over one billion, each sign applies to between 800and 900 million Chinese and considerably more of the rest of us. Whatfollows then can only be general, extremely general, but the author (aRooster) recognized something of himself in that section, and when hetook into account the influence of his Mansion of the Moon, he wasmore than a little impressed!

The RatCharming, appealing, clever quick-witted and sociable are all adjectivesthat the Chinese ascribe to the Rat - a creature regarded as wise inOriental mythology. Their habit of scurrying around in the dark gave

rise to the widespread belief that they had occult powers. Rats, with their

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natural curiosity and inquisitive nature, seem to want to know as muchas they can about absolutely everything.

Those born under the sign have the ability to talk the hind legs off adonkey and they can write with impressive fluency. But they have apractical nature and are adaptable, having the ability to turn their hand

to most things. They are party animals, especially at New Year. Theyenjoy life in the fast lane and are inveterate gamblers, not just at thetables but in love and in business, too.

But all this feverish social activity has a down side, disguising as it doesthe Rats' insecurity. They have a deep-rooted fear of not being loved,which is why they play the field in the romance stakes. They are alsoafraid that one day they may run out of the money they need to financetheir lifestyles, which is why they squirrel away money in savingsaccounts to make sure that should that rainy day come, they won't gettoo wet.

In matters of health, the Rat’s reliance on themselves can produce stressand their liking for an active social life can temp them into an unhealthydiet that can lead to raised cholesterol levels and all that that entails.

When it comes to matters sexual and affairs of the heart, Rats can beobsessive about sex and often form hot, hot, hot relationships withDragons. But when the fires of passion die down, Rats often findthemselves seeking solace in the arms of a Pig or an Ox, with whom theyoften form long-lasting relationships. Rats can find themselves attractedto Horses and Monkeys, but the speed of the former and the

capriciousness of the latter tend to ensure that the flames are soondoused.

The Mansions of the Moon affect Rats in the following way. Those bornduring the first Moon are sensitive and like nothing better thaninitiating new ideas, the more controversial the better. The next Moonmakes those born during its rule introspective to the point that otherssee them as indifferent to everything. Rats who owe the third Moontheir loyalty will do anything to be different, while those who enter theworld during the succeeding Moon are the sort of people who when theyhave an idea will stick to it come thick or thin. To succeed in life they

have to be more flexible. The fifth Moon blesses its followers with anartistic nature, which allows them to express their emotions more thanmost. Those born during the sixth Moon love the good things in life, andmake no secret about it. They have boundless enthusiasm, somethingthat makes them excellent salesmen. To be born under the seventh Moonusually makes one something of a prevaricator, but if they take a leadfrom the title of the Shakespeare play All’s Well That Ends Well theywill be fine. They may, though, look with envy on those who are blessedby the eighth Moon being in the night sky when they are born: for suchpeople have brains, looks and good fortune. But brains must be used if they are to stay in good fettle, looks fade and good fortune can turn tobad. The ninth Moon makes those who owe it allegiance over-concerned

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with the minutiae of life. If they can be chivvied into taking the widerview, their lives will be enriched beyond measure. Those born under thetenth Moon are great gamblers, often lucky ones. And therein lies theirdownfall. For flushed with early success they over-reach themselves andcan end up in the gutter (although they will, in the words of OscarWilde, be looking at stars). The second to last Moon encourages an

interested mind, the trouble is its interest knows no bounds and whencoupled with a lack of concentration, often leads to a butterfly mind.Thefinal Moon of the year whose demise heralds the dawn of the Year of theOx lends a tendency to stubbornness that must be overcome if success inlife, both personal and professional, is to be achieved.

The OxA dependable beast of burden and in some cultures regarded as a symbolof fertility, the Ox arrives early in the year, bringing with it the goodnews that spring is just around the corner.

People born in the year of the Ox are sometimes seen as being as slowas the animal itself, but they are intelligent and, with their affinity forthe outside world, they often have a deep concern about theenvironment. They love their homes and need them to provide a stablebase for themselves and their families.

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But they have their faults, which of us don't! They can be stubborn andsullen: once their mind is made up, little if anything will change it. Justas the animal will plough furrow after furrow, oblivious to any outsidedistraction, so those born under this sign are naturally blinkered. Andthey can be possessive to the point of obsessiveness.

They make excellent team workers and are unlikely ever to standaccused of not pulling their weight. They are meticulous planners andpossess the enviable ability of pondering over plans when the rest of ushave long gone to bed, while at the same time energising themselves forwhatever the next day holds.

Oxen born during the first Moon are, due to the influence of thedeparting Rat, often less stubborn and more self-confident than othersof the sign are.The second Moon blesses Oxen with a creativity that canbecome so intense that they become unusually introspective, finding it

difficulty to form relationships with others. Those born under thesucceeding Moon tend to need constant reminding that things are not asbad as they might look, and that they should get out more and mix withothers. When the fourth Moon reigns, her subjects tend to be deep-thinkers, so deep that thinking is all they do and they have to be nudgedinto making conclusions. This is not something that can be said aboutanyone born during the fifth Moon, for they are quick-witted, if a bitslapdash. The sixth Moon bestows a youthful quality on her subjects, tooyouthful for some, who have eventually to be reminded that there isnothing to be ashamed of in growing old gracefully. Her sister, theseventh Moon, lends those on whom she shines a cool, oh so cool

exterior, which is deceptive, for beneath it lies an unusually active andvery creative mind. Those born under the eighth Moon are alsodeceptive, for although they seem to be party animals, what they reallycrave is a night at home with the object of their affections. Generosity isthe keyword that can be applied to those who come into the world whenthe ninth Moon is in the ascendant: and although this quality is oftenexploited by others, their generosity is eventually rewarded. When theninth Moon gives way to the tenth, generosity bows to self-reliance andit is no surprise to learn that many successful self-employed people areborn during this phase of the Moon. The succeeding Moon makes thosein her realm hungry for power, but that doesn’t stop them from beingthoughtful and considerate friends. Alas this cannot be said for thoseborn under the last Moon, for while they, too, love power, they tend tobe loners and find it hard to take criticism.

When it comes to trying to make sure that their relationships withothers are well balanced, the Ox can become obsessive. Roosters andDragons are only too happy to put up with, indeed encourage this. ButTigers and Pigs are usually far too aggressive for the Ox.

Oxen have a sweet tooth and their tendency to overeat can cause

problems.They are sensitive to extremes of temperature which they findcause them discomfort in the stomach and chest.

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The TigerThose born under the sign of the Tiger tend to be extremely competitiveand very brave.They enjoy the charisma they are aware that they exudeand although they tend to be loners in some aspects of their lives, theysee themselves as natural leaders, for they think themselves naturallysuperior to us lesser mortals. They can be among the most philanthropicof people, but whereas some others do good by stealth, Tigers enjoyhaving their efforts noticed.

The ‘smile on the face of the tiger,’ mentioned in the famous limerick,belies its fearsome bite and the sense of calm that the tiger projects givesno hint of the energy that is simmering under the surface, waiting to bereleased. Conquest is the name of their game, be it in their business livesor in their personal relationships.

Unlike those born under some other signs who find it hard to keep twoballs in the air at the same time, the tiger can juggle a seemingly endlessnumber, managing several projects simultaneously with effortless ease.But this ease belies a curious contradiction. Others may see the tiger as

a menace, but not as much of a menace as the tiger sees itself! It craves

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safety and finds it in its home, which is almost certain to be lavishly,some may say ostentatiously, furnished.

Tigers are at their best in the early spring when they leave their winterlair and seek out new territories to conquer. Those born under the firstMoon can, thanks to the lingering influence of the Ox, be more reserved

than other Big Cats, but will often act out of character and behave asflamboyantly as the others. Those born under the second Moon oftenstand accused of speaking their minds in too forthright a manner, forthey overreact to people and events. The third Moon has a tendency tomake her subjects generous, daring and loving – sadly often over-generous, over-daring and over-loving for their own good. Tigers whobow to the fourth Moon have infectious personalities but are often easilytempted to stray from the path of marital faithfulness. When the fifthMoon rules the night sky, those born at that time are gloriouslygregarious at some times yet shy from company at others. This makes

them struggle to find the right balance. Tigers born during the nextMoon often have to be constantly reassured that the doldrums in whichthey constantly find themselves will not last forever. The seventh Moonencourages straight dealing and through it success in the community.The most artistic mansion of the Moon for Tigers is the eighth, andthose born at this time often follow their instincts and take up an artisticcareer. Aesthetic is a word often used to describe Tigers born during theninth Moon. Others may see Tigers born now as superficial, but areusually forced to revise their opinions when they get better acquaintedwith the subject of their approbation. The tenth Moon encourages herneonates to stick to what they want to do, ignoring any criticism and

facing any problems that present themselves. Those born during theeleventh Moon often find themselves exhausted both mentally andphysically because they are always in pursuit of ideals, while those bornduring the twelfth Moon are often seen as so self-confident that itrankles with others. But as long as the self-confidence doesn’t turn toarrogance, they soon win others over.

When Tigers give their hearts, it is often to fellow felines who sharetheir intensity of feeling. Problems can arise though, because of theTiger’s surprising passivity in romance and tendency to be unfaithful.The one sign Tigers should avoid is the Pig – far too nervous to snuggleup to a big cat.

The Tiger’s over-confidence can make them take on far too much, whichcan cause symptoms of stress that the sleek animal often ignores until itis too late and the damage has been done.



The RabbitCuriously contradictory in character, gay and gregarious at some times,party wallflowers at others, they seem to have come into the world withan inborn fear of getting involved and when any sort of confrontationlooms, they try to dig themselves into a burrow until it’s gone. If youknow someone who observes silently on the sidelines of any socialgathering, and then is first on the ’phone for a good gossip – that’s aRabbit. Like their animal counterparts, they are the great breeders of thezodiac menagerie. It’s family first and although they may roam far fromhome, they can’t wait to scurry back home – and usually a home theyhave lived in for a long time, for if there’s one thing a Rabbit hates, it’s

upheaval.

They have a wily intelligence, which they wield with great skill to getthem out of sticky situations. They hoard things like no other sign andask a Rabbit to go shopping with you and they will drop what they’redoing and help you spend, spend, spend, only too happy to join you inmelting the plastic.

Rabbits make great friends and excellent business partners. Not the mostsensual of animals, they relish long-term relationships with partnerswho will grow and mature alongside them. Rats and Oxen are the signs

best suited to cope with the Rabbit’s ways, Snakes will exhaust them

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emotionally and fellow Rabbits are far too elusive to allow themselves tobe snared.

First Moon rabbits have an extra confidence and are first to dive in at thedeep end and get their plans, which are usually straightforward, off theground, whereas those born under the next one tend to scurry hither and

thither before making up their minds about anything. The third Moonblesses her subjects with a decisive mind and when she hands over to hersister, the fourth she encourages others to feel protective towards herchildren who sometimes have to struggle before they come to acceptthis. Indecision is the curse of those born under the fifth Moon, whilethose with birthdays during the one that follows appear the very modelof conformity on the outside, while being true lotus-eaters on the inside.If they can let their inner self come to the surface sometimes, their liveswill be all the richer for it. Those who owe allegiance to the seventhMoon are blessed with creativity in all things artistic, have good business

brains and make excellent politicians – if only they can stir themselvesout of their elegant ennui! The eighth Moon smiles eternal optimism onthose who owe their loyalty to her: if someone were to raise the Titanic,they’d be first in line to buy a ticket for its maiden voyage. Rabbits bornwhen the ninth Moon reigns are obsessive hoarders – valuable or not,useful or absolutely redundant, you name it, they’ll store it somewhere.Tenth-Moon Rabbits are loners, the sort of people in whose vocabularythe words ‘team’ and ‘spirit’ have absolutely no connection whatsoever.Their cousins born under the penultimate Moon will stop at nothingapart from betrayal to get what they want and those on whom the lastMoon smiles draw on the energy of the approaching Dragon which gives

them the drive to succeed at whatever they decide to do.

The DragonTo the Chinese, the Dragon crossed the skies and marked time’s passing.A helpful creature, blessed with vitality and occult powers, it markedauspicious events from the birth of an heir to the death of a benefactor.People born under this sign are blessed with the same vitality. Their

intuitive ability to understand any situation puts them in a position toinfluence events. But the influence that they bring to bear may not bewhat is wanted, something that is more often than not due to the factthat many of them have their heads in the clouds.

Dragons have such self-confidence that they often delude themselvesinto believing that their middle name is ‘Infallible’. They will startprojects and relationships with boundless, youthful enthusiasm, only toabandon them halfway through when their impetuosity drives them off in another direction.Their superficial show of bravado often disguises aninsecurity, which the Dragon will go to great lengths to cover with a

wide smile or an expensive new outfit.

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They have so much energy that trying to channel it can become theirmain preoccupation in life. This explains the frustration they feel when

things don’t go their way, a frustration that can cause outbursts of volcanic temper, when they seem to spit fire with every word.

Dragons need love and affection, things that the Rooster is only toohappy to offer. The Snake, too. Surprisingly, the Tiger and the Dragonbeing opposites in many respects, can be an excellent match. The Horsetends to be too devious, and Dragons who find themselves attracted to aDog will soon find that they are barking up the wrong tree.

Like all other signs, the Dragon’s temperament is influenced by theMansion of the Moon in which they are born. The lingering influence of the Rabbit makes Dragons born during the first Moon moreintrospective than other Dragons. This is something that engenderssuspicion about the typically creative ideas that flood from this and allDragons. Second Moon Dragons breeze through life with a smile ontheir face that belies the inner turmoil churning up their stomachs. Thethird Moon invigorates her subjects with the knowledge that life is forliving and the stamina to do just that, while those born during the fourthMoon make no concessions to anyone or anything. They are what theyare – like them or lump them. Dragons who first breathe fire during thefifth Moon are blessed with great powers of concentration that allow

them to get to the end of the road, no matter how bumpy the ride. Thoseborn when the next Moon illumines the night sky are fireballs of

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creative energy that brands itself on all who cross their path. People whoknow Dragons born under the seventh Moon often have reason to begrateful to them for the confidence and trust they inspire. The eighthMoon makes her subjects extremely logical and engenders in them theneed to set their sights on a definite goal before they set out on anyproject. This is not something that many will say about ninth-Moon

Dragons with their head in the clouds and chiffon-soft ideas. But whatothers don’t realise is that some of the greatest inventions, most brilliantbooks and beautiful paintings have been the children of dreamers. Theeponymous creature lies very deep within Dragons born during thetenth Moon, but don’t be deceived by the placid exterior: it’s there, readyto breathe fire whenever necessary. The second to last Moon blesses (orcurses) her children with a will to win that overrides everything else inlife. Dragons who look to the last Moon are cool and sophisticated, butthere’s a hot, passionate slumbering person beneath just waiting to beawakened.

The SnakeHypnotic and charming. Wise but naïve. Prudent, profligate andpossessive, with more than a touch of prudery thrown in. The word

‘contradiction’ could have been invented for Snakes. They lie in wait,biding their time until it is time to act, no matter how long it takes.

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Those who see this as inactivity do so at their peril, for the Snake isplanning the next move – right down to the last detail. They absorbinformation, gathering intelligence with the same appetite with which aglutton attacks his food, then sieve it and put it in the right compartmentof their super-intelligent minds. Facts may be their diet, but they havethe ability to cook up original ideas, especially artistic ones. Sometimes,

in putting their brains into overdrive, their judgements might beunbalanced and the answers they come up with to solve problems can beoff-target. Not that the Snake will see this.

Their love of companionship encourages them to stay as close to homeas they can. But their love of the creative arts can overcome this and seethem venturing forth. They are the late risers of the Chinese Zodiac,often staying in bed when the rest of us are up and about. But the Snakeis conserving its energy and planning the day ahead.

Craving love and affection, in matters of romance, Snakes are wellmatched with the Dragon or the considerate Dog. The Rat will play witha Snake’s emotion and while the Tiger has its attractions, it is too proneto betrayal for the Snake ever to be truly comfortable.

Snakes hatched during the first Moon should heed the warning thatwhile acquiring knowledge is a good thing, too much of it, like too little,can be a dangerous thing. Those born when the second Moon shinesneed to be counselled not to bottle things up: a problem shared is aproblem halved. When the third Moon is in the sky, her subjects oftenhave the confidence to follow a freelance career, with the caveat that

over-confidence has been the downfall of many. Fourth Moon snakestend to think of themselves too much and need to be encouraged to takea more relaxed view of life. Snakes loyal to the fifth Moon have aninstinctive and enviable eye for the good things in life, material andspiritual. Sixth-Moon Snakes have a cautious mind, which can be usedto help others who have a tendency to live in the clouds come down toearth. When the seventh Moon shines it invigorates her subjects,making them especially active and allowing them to scale the highestpeaks.Those born under the eighth Moon often find themselves trippingover their aggressive self-confidence. This is tempered during the nextone, whose people are outgoing and gregarious with the happy knack of making friends wherever they go. The tenth Moon brings with it anespecially strong tendency to repress things. Snakes born now shouldlearn to let go more often. The penultimate Moon bestows a talent fororganizing all manner of things in general, social events in particular,and for communicating, and the last one, being influenced by theimminent arrival of the Horse, makes Snakes born now more direct andadventurous than their sibling serpents.

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The HorseThose born under the Horse are all-rounders, as sociable, sporting, hard-working and well-travelled as the animal itself. The downside? They candevelop strong prejudices, become selfish and intolerant.

Their endless vitality and energy can drive them on to do almostanything they set their mind to, leaving the rest of us at the startingpost, watching with just a hint of envy as luck smiles again and again onthe thoroughbred of the Chinese zodiac. To the Horse, life is a game,which is played constantly on the attack: the word ‘defence’ is not in his

vocabulary but the word ‘winner’ is, and that is what he strives to be.

But the Horse is just as willing to pick up the cudgel and use hisstrengths to help friends fight their battles. For despite their independentstreak, they are good team-players as long as they can keep theirinstinctive desire to be captain at bay. They take the overall view, leavingthe details to others. That can lead to the Horse’s downfall: chargingahead, head held high and attention firmly focused on the goalposts, heoften fails to clear the details that present themselves as hurdles in hispath. And when things don’t go according to plan, the Horse will be just

as hard on others as he will be on himself.

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Often as strong physically as they are mentally, Horses are practical andhandy to have around the house. When they settle down it is often withthe extrovert Tiger or the outgoing Dragon. Rarely will a Horse behappy with a Ram (too methodical) or the Monkey (unsettlinglyrestless).

Horses born during the first Moon find success early in life, and so itcontinues. Those born under the next Moon are too independent andhave to be reined in to work with people.Third Moon horses need all thefriends they have – and more. When the fourth Moon rises, it shines onthe intellect and artistic abilities. Fifth Moon horses have a tendency toshow off the fruits of their labours, something that irks others and hasto be discouraged. Sixth Moon ones have a deep-rooted need for securityand in their search for it, often hop from person to person regardless of the hurt this causes.Horses born during the seventh Moon are especiallylucky and self-reliant. When the eighth Moon shines, she brings a

generous spirit but a tendency to over-indulge. ‘Look before you leap,’are words to which Horses born under the ninth Moon should payparticular attention, for the barriers between them and the success theycrave are often ones of their own making. Tenth Moon Horses often findit hard to communicate with others and should learn to loosen the reins.Their stablemates born during the eleventh Moon have a strongercapacity for analytical thinking than other Horses. It’s something thatthey find useful when times are hard. The up-coming Ram tempers theHorses’ headstrong ways. Horses born under the twelfth Moon are thestayers in the race to success – reserving some power for a final gallop tovictory after enjoying an easy canter behind the leaders.

The RamRams are orderly creatures who like everything to be in its proper place.Conservative with a small ‘c’ (and often with a large one) and with a firmbelief that everything that has to be done can be done if only the correctmethod can be found. And oh, the fear of failure if they can’t find it.Rams are the realists of the Chinese zodiac. When they set themselves a

target it will be a realistic one: no pie in the sky promises from Rams,nothing over-ambitious.

Well-meaning if a little dull, Rams like things to run smoothly, not justfor themselves, but for their friends and colleagues for whom they willmove heaven and earth to ensure a trouble-free path through life, evenif this does seem a little interfering at times. A businessman in search of a perfect secretary could do no better than look to the sheep pen for help.

Being canny creatures, Rams are masters of the waiting game, bidingtheir time and only acting when they judge the time to be right. The

word ‘inspiring’ is not one that could be applied to most Rams: but whenit comes to researching the best way to plan for the future, Rams are

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non-pareil. If you are working to a tight, looming deadline, don’t ask aRam for help. If something has to be delayed before it is ready to go,then so be it.

They are home-loving creatures who like nothing more than throwingparties, not just because they enjoy acting the host, but also because theylike showing to others the homes they have made for themselves. Theymake firm friends, but thanks to their instinctive caution friendship isslow to turn to intimacy when love rears its head. They are happy withother Rams and with Horses, one of the few signs able to get through theRam’s reserve. Oxen are far too bovine for Rams, who are often attractedto Rats – but not for long.

Rams born during the first Moon, inherit some of the power of thepreceding Horse, something they can use to their advantage to helpthem win looming battles, especially career ones. Those born when thesecond Moon reigns have to work hard to come to terms with the factthat upheavals can put the best laid plans of mice and men aft aglay.Third Moon Rams are especially cerebral, often to the point that itmakes them blind to more mundane matters. Rams who owe loyalty tothe fourth Moon are the most sensual and social of sheep, assets they useto get what they want and those on whom the fifth Moon shines areoften at their most relaxed at parties where they can mix with others andenjoy wide-ranging conversations. That can’t be said for Rams born

during the sixth phase: often too deep in thought, they have to becontinually prodded into being more outgoing. Seventh Moon Rams

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enjoy the good things in life, not just for themselves, but for theirfriends, too. Rams who bleat for the first time during the eighth Moonare great worriers, often deeply suspicious of everyone else’s motives.‘Control’ and ‘freak’ are words that combine to describe Rams bornduring the ninth Moon. The serious front they present to the worldconceals an even more serious interior. Tenth Moon Rams often fail to

see the wood for the confusing trees in their sight. They have to beassured not only that there is a path through, but that they will find it.Rams born during the penultimate Moon are hugely house-proud,oblivious to the fact that taken to the extreme it puts people off. Andwith Monkey waiting in the wings, Rams born during the last Moon arethe most frivolous in the flock.

The MonkeyWatching a monkey in the wild, one can only wonder at their agility,their audacity and their constant activity. All of which has to take its tollin the end, which is when they slump, exhausted and unmoving. It’s thesame with their zodiac counterparts. Always on the go, inventive andgreat fun to be with, they are often plunged into periods when they feelinsecure and depressed. But not for long. That irrepressible sense of funsoon re-emerges and they’re off again, cajoling the rest of us to loosenup and have fun. They can be outrageously flirtatious and manipulative,

but they really do love their fellows and their intentions are usuallygood.

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Don’t be fooled by the madcap behaviour. Monkeys know exactly whatthey’re doing: they know what they want and usually get it. And if theyhave to play games with people to do so, such is their nature that whenthey are caught out, they are usually forgiven. They are on the go fordays on end, and then they’ll slump, gather their energy and start again,fidgeting, interfering with other’s lives – usually for the common good,

though.

The Ox will put up with the Monkey’s hyperactivity, and the Rat makesa good partner, too, being able to calm the Monkey and encourage it toenjoy a little domesticity. Horses and Monkeys tap into the same energysource, but they will never settle down together – far too exhausting.

First Moon Monkeys are real charmers, an asset they often use toorganize others. Second Moon ones enjoy hoarding things so much thatit can become an obsession. Monkeys born during the third Moon have

butterfly minds and have to be coaxed into concentration if they are toachieve their true potential. Those who first see the light of day whenthe fourth Moon shines have a tendency to cockiness and need to be toldthat they can achieve their ambitions just as easily if they learn a littlehumility. Curiously, fifth Moon Monkeys need to be coaxed into talkingabout their achievements and while vanity is one thing, there’s nothingwrong with a little pride. Monkeys born during the sixth Moon have anabundance of confidence matched with talents that assure them of success in whatever direction they choose to travel. Their cousins whoare born during the next Moon are excellent communicators, who oftenfind satisfaction in politics and show business. When the eighth Moon is

in the sky, her Monkeys often find themselves side-tracked by trivialdetails. If those born during the ninth one can be encouraged periodicallyto shrug off the cloak of experience and see things through fresh eyes,their lives will be all the better for it. Tenth Moon Monkeys tend to haveminds that never settle and have to be forced to concentrate on thingsand get themselves organized if they are to fulfil their true potential.Monkeys born during the second to last Moon are cool, calm andcollected, especially in managing businesses and arranging things forothers, while those who owe allegiance to the final Moon have in spadesthe Monkey’s tendency to move from place to place, person to person,

job to job. They have to be urged to settle down or they will exhaustthemselves and their partners.

The RoosterA natural leader, the Rooster is alert to new opportunities and is usuallythe first to see a problem looming on the horizon. Others often see theRooster as over-confident, cock-sure, forever crowing about their ownachievements, abrasive and over-competitive – and they are right. But

the Rooster couldn’t give a hoot. Sights set, the Rooster will get there –

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how is a minor consideration. And here is a seeming contradiction, foralthough in business they are hard taskmasters, they are often selflessemployers who seem to have the best interest of their employees atheart. Don’t be fooled! It’s odds on that the Rooster started the businessand is acting out of pure self-interest.

Watch a rooster in the coop. See how he confidently struts among thechickens, enjoying their admiration. The Rooster is just the same. Withtheir extravagant appearance and matching behaviour, they shine atparties, especially if they have something new that evidences theirsuccess.

The good-natured Pig is a good match for the Rooster, and although,when attracted to another Rooster, the two will fight for dominance,harmony will soon replace aggression and the two will make a devotedcouple. Roosters and Dogs don’t make a good match – too distant – andalthough the Rabbit may seem a good partner, it won’t last: the Rooster’straits will soon start to annoy and he will be surprised at the aggressionwith which the Rabbit reacts to this.

But, as usual, the Mansions of the Moon influence things. Roosters bornduring the first Moon tend to be less aggressive, more willing to listen,than others of the brood. Second Moon Roosters are often tempted to sit

at home, planning and organizing things on their own. They should

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resist this and get out more. Those born during the third Moon areespecially good at recognizing the potential of new projects and thengetting them up and running. When the fourth Moon is in the sky, herRoosters are prone to be over-ponderous about scholarly matters andneed to be nudged out of this. The fifth Moon ushers in a time of extremes. Roosters born during her ascendancy should use these to

guide them towards their goals. Roosters loyal to the sixth Moon shouldenjoy basking in the warm sunshine and let it stimulate their success.When the seventh Moon rules the night sky she encourages herRoosters to see their imperfections and to use them to their advantage,something that makes these birds much-less self-centred than otherhatchlings. This Moon exerts her influence on her successor, somethingthat makes eighth Moon Roosters good listeners and to know that thereis such a word as modesty in the dictionary. Ninth Moon Roosters mayappear to be unflappable, but they are often all-a-flutter beneath thefeathers. Roosters who first crow during the tenth Moon are born with

a great desire to collect things – anything – and try to fight it off. Theyshouldn’t. They should surrender to their instincts and relish this trait.During the eleventh Moon, the Yin and the Yang are perfectly balanced,enabling Roosters born now to achieve their heart’s desire throughcareful planning. And when the twelfth Moon glows, she is aware thatshe has to hand over to the Dog, something that strengthens theRooster’s natural friendliness.

The DogMan’s best friend - loyal, protective and fearless – lends all its charac-teristics to those born during its years of ascendancy in the Chinesezodiac. They will get involved in things, often without thinking of theconsequences they may have to face. What they want is results and theywant them NOW! Not for them are lengthy periods of negotiation ordiscussion that loom endlessly ahead.

They are honest and straightforward, often with a seemingly placidnature that belies an underlying restlessness. They are steadfast in their

friendships, and make few enemies – but when they do, watch out! Andbeing quick to show the affection they feel for others, they make it easyfor them to feel quite unembarrassed when demonstrating the feelingsthey return. They are optimistic, sometimes over-optimistic, which canresult in disappointments. They simply don’t understand it when afriendship goes awry, which is why they should on occasions sit back ontheir hindquarters and take stock of the world round them – especiallytheir friends and possessions.

Dogs and Tigers, perhaps surprisingly for seeming opposites, often enjoypassionate affairs and sizzling long-term relationships, but Pigs are

probably the best-matched creatures for the Dog. Rats are usually too

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nervous for the sociable canine and a match with an Ox is almostguaranteed to end in a battle of wills from which winner takes all.

Dogs born during the Moon’s first Mansion are often tempted to live forthe day and have to be reminded that they should look to the future.Those loyal to the second Moon often find that the loyalty they feel forothers evaporates due to circumstances beyond their control. Dogs whogive voice to their bark for the first time when the third Moon shinestend to be particularly persistent creatures who are often found in thecommunications industry. The fourth Moon encourages her denizens tomake others feel good: in doing so, they feel good themselves. Dogs bornduring the fifth Moon often appear conceited and over-confident. That’snothing to be ashamed of, for these dogs are every bit as good as they

think themselves to be. The sixth Moon blesses her subjects with brainsand the ability to get things done that have proved impossible for others.Seventh Moon subjects sometimes find themselves unable to moveforward for reasons they can’t put their finger on. Dogs born during thenext Moon set themselves high standards, and expect them of others,too. If these are not met, these Dogs can bark too fiercely for their owngood. Ninth Moon dogs often feel instinctively that others are actingagainst them, but such is their view of life that they find this hard tobelieve. They should be well-advised to change their perception of thingsand take the appropriate action. This suspicion lingers on during thereign of the tenth Moon and Dogs born now are more prone to be the

target of wagging tongues than others in the kennel. Dogs during the

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second to last Moon sometimes tend to be a little suspicious whensomeone offers the paw of friendship. They needn’t be. By the time thetwelfth Moon takes to the sky, the up-coming Pig is starting to exert itsinfluence, telling Dogs that working consistently towards a goal is oftenbetter than going for it in fits and starts.

The PigThe last sign in the twelve-year cycle, Pigs are born at a time when newhorizons beckon. They are creative and intelligent and only too happy to

take the world as they find it, something that explains the fact that thePig is a contented animal. They are only too happy to use theirintelligence for the benefit of others, for they are as generous as the dayis long.

They often enjoy a lively social life, but at the end of the day, having joined in with gusto, they are only too happy to return to the sty. Andtherein lies a porcine problem. They like their homes so much that theycan become over-anxious about finding the right partner to settle in itwith. And when that particular person doesn’t look like showing up, thePig can become very, very depressed.The family is central to the Pig, and

while they are happy for their offspring to leave home and make their

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own way in life, when it comes to coming home for Sunday lunchwhenever possible, there’s a three-line whip in operation.

Pigs and Rabbits make a good match, the latter’s innate livelinessinfecting the former to the Pig’s advantage. And Dragons, provided theycan be persuaded to calm down and enjoy a quieter life than they are

used to, will make perfect partners for Pigs. Snakes and Pigscommunicate on different wavelengths and a Horse will unseat a Pig atthe first opportunity.

First Moon Pigs often enjoy success through hard work, while thoseborn during the second Moon get it by the luck that shines upon themfrom the day they are born. The downside for them is that they tend totake this for granted, which leads them to become irritatingly over-confident. Ideas tumble from third Moon Pigs like snowflakes in ablizzard. These must be carefully sifted as not even the most diligent Pig

has the ability to see them all through to successful fruition. Problemsoften appear during the middle years of Pigs born when the fourthMoon bathes the world in her glow, but these usually resolvethemselves. Fifth Moon Pigs can be a little untrusting and might need tobe advised that the world is a much nicer place than they think it is. OncePigs loyal to the sixth Moon make up their minds, nothing will changethem. That’s why they should weigh up every option very carefullybefore pronouncing on anything, no matter how trivial. Their seventhMoon cousins have the knack of achieving great things, but only afterthey have brought a little chaos into everyone’s lives. The eighth Mooncan make her subjects more tense than other Pigs, so much so that they

have to be forced to relax.The ninth Moon, too, can cause trouble, lettingher Pigs get so bogged down in trivia that they let the important thingsslide. And then they worry about this, so much, that they tend to donothing about anything. They, too, need to relax. Tenth Moon Pigs canbe too willing to shoulder other people’s problems, but this often hasbeneficial results for everyone. Those born during the penultimateMoon really believe that there is nothing that they cannot do. They areoften right, but become quite exhausted in the attempt. And if there’sone lesson that Pigs born during the twelfth Moon should take to heart,it’s that they should share their myriad ideas with others.That way theyare much less likely to make blunders and will bring home the bacon.

* * * * * * * * *

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One legend has it that around 5,000BC Fu Hsi, the firstChinese emperor, was meditating by a river when suddenly

an animal that looked like some sort of dragon rose from thewater. Fu Hsi, curious rather than scared, noticed that there

were lines on its scales. Intrigued, he pondered on these lines and after awhile felt that they helped him by making him a wiser man. A man of spirited generosity, he felt that if the animal had helped him it could helpothers and set about drawing a series of diagrams, a series of broken andunbroken lines, using the lines on the scales as his guide.

Another tale credits the same man, and dates the incident to around thesame time and the same place, but has it that the animal in question wasa tortoise – tortoise shells being a common means of divination.

The lines that Fu Hsi noted were the eight trigrams – a stack of threelines, each of which have specific attributes to the Earth, Mankind andHeaven. As with all things Chinese, the Yin and the Yang exerted theirprofound influence – the unbroken lines representing Yang, thatcontrols Heaven, the day’s activities, the Sun’s heat, action and hardness.The broken lines are Yin, the feminine aspect that controls the Earth, thenight’s mystery, the cool Moon, softness and stillness.

Whichever of these (and other legends) is true is irrelevant: what

matters is that the lines became the basis of I (pronounced ‘ee’) Ching,one of the most popular forms of divination in the East, and one that isincreasing in popularity in the western world.

Thousands of years later, around 1150 BC, the tyrant emperor Chou Sinimprisoned ‘King’ Wen, for what crime we know not. But during hisseven-year imprisonment he refined the trigrams and devised the six-line hexagrams or kua and wrote a commentary for each.

While Wen was in prison, his eldest son Yu gathered together an armyand overthrew Chou Sin. Yu became emperor in his place and bestowed

on his father the title ‘King’, by which sobriquet he has been known eversince, even though he never ruled China.

When Yu died, he was succeeded by his brother Tan, the Duke of Chou,who had been thoroughly instructed in the I Ching by their father. It washe who interpreted the meanings of each of the individual lines and itwas at this point, around 1100 BC that the I Ching was consideredcomplete.

One of the earliest methods of using the I Ching was to heat a tortoise

until its shell cracked and to interpret the cracks that appeared!Fortunately we have moved on since then, and today there is more thanone method.

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Traditionalists use yarrow sticks to cast the I Ching. This is hugelycomplicated and involves fifty stalks of yarrow, one of which is set aside,and manipulating the remaining forty-nine stalks in four stages of operation. These four operations are repeated three times to form a line,and as there are six lines, six operation sets are required for the wholeprocess. A time-consuming method.

Given the complexity of the yarrow method, it was inevitable that asimpler method of casting a hexagram would develop, and today themost common way of casting a hexagram, is to use coins – ‘the HeavenlyPennies’. Some people strike a balance between the ultra-traditionalismof the yarrow and the upstart coins, by using specially made I Chingstones, which are marked with either a Yin or a Yang symbol.Traditionalists need not worry. The means may vary, the interpretationremains the same, harking back across the millennia to Ancient China.

The method is simple. Take three coins and throw them down together,each throw forming a hexagram line. Chinese coins were inscribed onone side only and had a hole in the middle so that they could be threadedtogether. The inscribed side was Yin, the plain side was Yang. Moderncoins are inscribed on both sides. For the purpose of the I Ching, the‘tails’ side is allied to the inscribed side and is therefore Yin: the ‘heads’side is assumed to be blank and therefore ‘Yang’.

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The Eight TrigramsFormalised by Fu Hsi, the eight trigrams are the basis of the sixty-four hexagrams,

which are all the possible double combinations of the trigrams.

Ch’ien represents Heaven, the Sun and the creation of all things. TripleYang is represented by its three unbroken lines and promises vitality,an upsurge in fortune and new opportunities on the horizon. Itpromises harmonious times.

K’un is the Earth and everything that is feminine. With three brokenlines,Yan times three, it is the opposite of Ch’ien, but in a positive way.It speaks of softness, of emerging from the dark, of a pliant, passive

nature that indicated devotion and harmony.

Chen is Thunder, bursting with new ideas. It is regeneration and newlife. But it can be disturbing. Its two broken and one solid line point toholding back and changes in the offing. But it can also indicate atendency to making hasty decisions, of acting before thinking.

Sun, with its two solid lines and one broken one, is the Wind. All aboutmarriage, procreation and birth, its soothing influence makes the idealatmosphere for all things creative from ideas for new ventures to

planting seeds for the next harvest.

K’an, the sign of rushing, flowing Water, but running water canbecome a dangerous torrent. So beware of what lies beneath thesurface: the threatening undercurrents at home and at work, whichmight well bring a flood of insecurity and a maelstrom of melancholy.

Li, Fire, has vibrant qualities of awareness and understanding, and ofleadership, too. It is the sign of the victorious warrior, of the all-conquering lover. But victory can go to the head, and remember thatpride comes before the fall!

Ken, Mountain, promises security and achievements built on solidfoundations. Associated with mountains, it brings with it clearsightedness and, articulation, but it has hints of the hoarder and thehermit, as well as of relationships about to come to an end. It can alsopoint to miserliness and a stubborn nature.

Tui, Lake, is associated with friendly waters, that fertilize the ground.Tui represents deep, unfulfilled desires that may be about to surfaceand bring a change in the way things are perceived. But it can warnagainst over-indulgence and a tendency to obsessiveness.



Creating the hexagramsThese then are the basis of the sixty-four hexagrams, which are,

nowadays usually cast using coins. Before this is done, the question to beanswered should be carefully framed in the mind. Most practitionerscreate a relaxing atmosphere, perhaps mellow lighting and perhapsbreathing in fragrant incense. The more particular the question, themore detailed the answer that I Ching will yield.

Only when the question has been thoroughly pondered upon, should thecoins be cast to create a hexagram, which is built from the bottom up.Very often, the answer to one question leads to another, but again, thisshould be thoroughly focused on before the second (and subsequent)

hexagrams are created.

Take three coins of the same denomination. If they have no obvious‘heads’ or ‘tails’ decide which side is to be so ascribed. The lines theycreate when cast are as follows:

The first throw gives the first line, the second the second one and so on,until a six-line hexagram has been created. As the hexagram is beingbuilt, mark each line on a piece of paper. Initially, the moving lines areread as if they were ordinary Yin and Yang ones. But once the hexagramhas been built, moving lines are reversed in meaning: a ‘Moving’ Yin linebecomes an unbroken Yang line, and a ‘Moving’ Yang line becomes abroken Yin one.

Historically, changing lines have the following significance. A changingfirst line points to a problem or a change that cannot find a solidfoundation. A changing second line indicates instability. The third linesuggests change due to shifts in time that cannot have been foreseen.The fourth line can point to change brought about by another’sinvolvement, while the fifth points to beneficial changes brought aboutby an advancement of some kind. And the sixth says that the situationregarding the question is unbalanced.

The I Ching or The Book of Changes, the Chinese manuscript in which

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Coins Value Symbol

3 tails ‘Moving’ Yang

3 heads ‘Moving’ Yin2 tails/1 head Yang

2 heads/1 tail Yin



the meanings of the sixty-four hexagrams are explained, is a work of intense beauty. Each hexagram is described and explained line by line inthe words of the philosopher. The most worthy translation is probablythat of Richard Wilhelm and Cary F. Baynes, which was published by thePrinceton University Press in 1967. Space precludes us, in this book,from going into the hexagrams in the exquisite detail that was the

luxury of Wilhelm and Baynes. Rather we shall, perforce, restrictourselves to a few key words about each of the sixty-four, and assurethose who are drawn to the I Ching that it is well worth further study.

1. Chi’en 1 – The Creative

Success is assured through the questioner’s strength, power andpersistence. Plans can be continued with confidence, as long as there isno over-reaching or overstretching of resources.

2. K’un 1 – The Receptive

The future can be viewed with confidence, as things will happen, but intheir own time. And as success may lie in other people’s hands, thequestioner is advised to be still, responsive and receptive to advice.

3. Chun – Initial Difficulty

Opportunities that present themselves should be viewed with care asthey might spell danger. If help is needed, don’t be afraid to ask for it.And as it’s early days, take care, there’s no need to act hastily.

4. Meng – Innocence

There may be a lack of experience or even wisdom, so listen to the adviceof other, more worldly people and learn from it. Remain enthusiastic anddon’t give up whatever you do.

5. Hsu – WaitingPatience is a virtue, after all if you plant seeds in a cornfield, you don’texpect to harvest right away. Help will be at hand when the time is right,so don’t force the pace and worry. Wait and be ready.

6. Sung – Connection

Compromise is the keyword at the moment. Impulsive action,arguments and aggressive behaviour are to be avoided. If criticism is

offered accept it. Listen to advice and things will improve.

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7. Shih – The Arrow

Ask for respect and it will be received. If promotion is desired it willcome, but after a struggle and probably after receiving some good advicefrom a wiser, more mature person.

8. Pi – Union

This is the time to build up strong bonds by sharing experiences withothers. Help them and at the same time you will be helping yourself. Piis also an indication of harmonious partnerships.

9. Hsiao Ch’u – Taming Force

Now is the time to use your strength and power to clear small blockagesfrom your path so that you are ready for the future.And although times

may be hard, be thankful for small mercies. Restraint may be called for.

10. Lu – Treading carefully

Stick to the path you have chosen and press forward without hesitating.

11. T’ai - Tranquility

Good fortune and harmony are all around, enjoy them and share them

with others. This is a good time for planning for the future, for steadyprogress, but beware of the temptation to act rashly.

12. P’I 1 – Stagnation

This is not the time to force the pace, even if you are sure that there arerewards to be had. Modesty is called for if the change in the air is to beturned to your advantage.

13. T’ung Jen - CompanionshipThere are rewards to be had from working with others as long aseveryone sticks to the tasks that have been allotted to them. This is atime for sharing. It is also a time when travel is indicated.

14. Ta Yu – Great Possession

Work hard, lay down for the future and success is yours for the taking.

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15. Ch’ien 2 – Humility

Be modest and others will give you the help you need. Harmony iseverything and it is vital to remain tolerant of others no matter how badtheir behaviour may appear to be.

16. Yu – Happiness

Sell yourself, without necessarily believing what you say. This is a goodtime to plan for the future, but remember that money isn’t everything:spiritual health is just as important as a bulging wallet.

17. Sui – Following

Now is the time to take a back seat and let others take charge. Be asflexible as you can and avoid any conflict. Take a relaxed view of things

but without letting your goals slip from view.

18. Ku – Disruption

Honesty is the best policy, so think hard and when you move forward doso with care. If you have made mistakes in the past, now is the time torectify them.

19. Lin – Approach

Let caution be your watchword, moving forward with care andconsidering the feelings of others more than you may have done. Rashdecisions are especially costly at the moment and may make today’sgood fortune temporary.

20. Kuan – Observing

A good time to plan for the future and for looking beneath the surfaceat things. Joint ventures could pay unexpected dividends, especially if you watch, listen and learn.

21. Shih Ho – Biting through

Be positive about the success that has been achieved. And don’t let thenegativity of others affect you.There may be a legal matter of some kindto sort out, but you can win - in other areas, too.

22. P’I 2 – Adornment

Keep a rein on spending, especially if you are trying to create an

impression. There are probably things that need to be sorted out, but doso in small stages, for the time is not right for sweeping changes.

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23. Po – Stripping away

This is not the time for action for the odds are not in your favour. Thereare disruptions ahead and change in the air. So wait and do what isneeded to cope with them.

24. Fu – Returning

Caution, particularly regarding anything new, is the watchword at themoment. It is a time for patience and for timing the path ahead. It alsoindicates that old energies will be refreshed and new ones appear.

25. Wu Wang – Correctness

Remember that everything has its limits – don’t be tempted to gobeyond them. Selflessness and simplicity are keywords at the moment.

Remember that problems are usually of a temporary nature, so be readyfor the time when they vanish.

26. Ta Ch’u – Taming force

Work is hard and progress slow, but luck is on your side and success ison the way, especially if you learn from mistakes made in the past.

27. I 1 – Nourishment

Take care, not only about what you eat and drink, but about what yousay, too. This is a time to build up strength, to bide your time and to keepambitions in check.

28. Ta Kuo – Excess

This is a time for extraordinary action. The inner voice should belistened to. And success is there, waiting for you.

29. K’an – The deepTake care and be on the lookout for pitfalls. Conflict is in the air: proceedwith caution, but make sure that you do proceed. Have faith in yourself and all will be well.

30. Li – Fire

Success can often be had by recognizing one’s limitations. Now is thetime to put the intellect to use and to be calm but firm.

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31. H’sein – Sensitivity

Be receptive to other people’s ideas and try to keep feelings of envy atarm’s length. Help others at every opportunity, but do so for genuinereasons, and don’t try to rule the roost at the expense of someone else.

32. Heng – Persistence

Set your course and stay with it. Stick to traditional methods and avoidany rash behaviour. If others offer advice, listen to it.

33. Tun – Withdrawal

There may be trouble ahead, but if you judge the right time to withdrawfrom the situation and are practical, you will weather the storm.

34. Ta Chuang – The Power of Greatness

If you say something, be sure that you stick to what you promise. Thisis a time of good fortune. If you act wisely you will benefit from it.

35. Chin – Advancement

This is a time when honesty is the best policy and also to think of others.Do so and there is promotion or/and social advancement in the offing.

36. Ming I – Darkening of the Light

Try not to get bogged down by making too many plans. Keep to the few

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that you have and try not to get too down in the mouth if things gobadly: they will soon get better.

37. Chia Jen – Family

Family matters are to the fore and it will probably be necessary toexercise authority. But try to do so fairly and with tolerance. Men mayfind that the wisest course is to let their partners take the driving seat forthe time being.

38. K’uei – Opposition

Try to stay in tune with the Yin and the Yang by ironing out anythingdisruptive or inharmonious in your life. It is a good time for startingsmall projects, and remember that mighty oak trees grow from tiny

acorns.

39. Chien 1 – Halting

There are hard times ahead, with problems on the horizon.The only wayto solve them is to face them: do so without making a song and dance,

just think about them.

40. Chieh – Removing obstacles

A time for action, but not in haste. Solve the problem facing you, put itbehind you and get on with things, resisting the temptation to dwell onthe past.

41. Sun 1 – Decrease

Cut back on spending but share what you have with others even if itmeans making sacrifices in one area of your life. If you do this willinglythe gain will be yours in the end.

42. I 2 – Increase

Luck is on your side and you can make plans with confidence that theywill be successful. You may make mistakes, but worry not. They willturn out to be to your benefit.

43. Kui – Breakthrough

Take precautions against possible losses and they will be kept to aminimum. Be firm without being pushy and try to cultivate friends, for

they will blossom.

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44. Kou – Meeting

Be resolute: stand your ground and don’t give in, whatever you do. Nowis not the time to sign contracts or make agreements.

45. Ts’ui – Gathering togetherSincerity and openness will help you to make your relationshipespecially harmonious now. Keep a guard on your tongue. There may bea bit of a struggle ahead, and if you feel that you are on your own withregard to a project, it is best to ask just one person to help.

46. Sheng – Ascending

Be warned that although progress might be on the slowside, at least you are going forwards and are not in

reverse. Professional help could be beneficial at themoment, which can generally be regarded as a good time.

47. K’un – Repression

Things are probably looking hard, but stay calm, composedand as silent as possible and you will cope, although you may

have to dig deep into your reserves and be very determined todo so.

48. Ching – The well

Things are looking up but nothing lasts forever! Insincerity onyour part could have disastrous consequences. Excellent judgement

regarding a situation or another person may be called for now. It is atime to watch your guard.

49. Ko – Change

Big changes regarding opportunities beckon, followed by a series of smaller ones. Be alert and remember that sometimes it pays todress the part. Remember, too, that material things are not theonly ones that matter in life.

50. Ting – The cauldron

You may find that lots of little things conspire to get you downat the moment: equipment goes wrong, plans run late. Nothing

serious though: life soon picks up and things start to go well againheralding further success. Don’t forget to keep the material and

spiritual parts of your life in balance.

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51. Chen – Thunder

The road ahead is rocky, but stay as calm as you can, it smoothens outbefore too long.You may be about to hear some shocking news, though.Try not to let it affect you too much, it could be nothing more thantongues wagging.

52. Ken – Mountain

If you maintain a low profile, problems that loom may well pass you by.Avoid taking risks. If you enjoy meditating, this is a good time for it, if you have never tried it, this is the best time to start.

53. Chien 2 – Growth

‘Softly, softly cathchee monkey.’ A good motto for the time being. Deal

with things as they crop up and don’t try to force the pace whatever youdo.

54. Kuei Mei – Marrying maiden

You could have been aiming too high: trim your sails and you won’tregret it. Don’t overdo things. And remember that it’s always darkestbefore the dawn.

55. Feng – AbundanceGood fortune and good luck beam at you. Worries will soon be a thingof the past: for a time at least.

56. Lu – Travel

Movement and moving are on the cards. And with the changes this willbring, long-term commitments should be avoided. This is a time to makefriends, but to chose them wisely.

57. Sun 2 – Gentle

‘Go with the flow’, as they say, and be flexible. You could well find thathelp could come from an unexpected source, so stick to any plans youhave made, but do so without sticking your head too far above theparapet.

58. Tui – The joyous

Good news and good fortune come your way.And your behaviour makes

people see just how in tune you are with your spiritual side. You could

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be asked to enter into a partnership: work with the people who make theoffer.

59. Huan – Dispersal

A time for reason, to take the middle path for any other one could leadto failure of some kind. Friends from the past could resurface: if they do,strong, spiritual bonds may be formed with them.

60. Chieh – Restraint

You will probably be feeling shackled in some way, but if you remaincalm you will soon be free of them and ready to take advantage of newopportunities that will present themselves. A good time to work towardsbecoming more self-aware.

61. Chung Fu – Inmost sincerity

Favoured results should come from properly judged communications.Plans made now for the future will flourish.

62. Hsiao Kua – Great smallness

Success doesn’t need to come in one big bag: lots of small packages canbe just as rewarding. If you are involved in any legal matters, remember

that the devil is in the detail, so read the small print.

63. Chi Chi – Completion

Resist the temptation to sit back on your laurels just because you haveachieved some success. This is a good time to reinforce the gains youhave made and consolidate. Small matters need your attention.

64. Wei Chi -– Before completion

Don’t make a move until you are certain the time is right, and even thenproceed with caution. Think long and hard before getting involved insomething new: you could come to regret it later, for there may be thingsof which you are unaware – important things.

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It’s in the numbers



Ct was Pythagoras, the founder of geometry who asserted thatnumbers were the essence of all things. Each one, he taught

his students at his school at Croton in Italy, had its own,unique vibration and specific personality. And it was he who

divided the human soul into nine different types, the numbers of whichare still used today.

There is also a symbiotic connection between numbers and astrology,which has been with us for centuries. Each astrological sign is assigned aplanet and a corresponding number, which, it can be assumed, havesimilar attributes.

For historical reasons, the Sun and the Moon are allocated two numbersbecause, when the system was devised, there were only seven knownplanets and nine numbers to be allocated.

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Numerology is concerned only with the numbers one to nine, to whichall other numbers are reduced. Zero is not a number in numerologyterms. It adds nothing at the beginning of a sequence and adds nothingto any other digit to which it is attached. The number ten exists as acomposite of the number one (1 + 0 = 1). All subsequent numbers aretreated in the same way.

The Birth NumberThis is the number that reveals natural powers and abilities. It is oftenused as an indication of likely career choices. To calculate this numberthe individual components of the subject’s date of birth are written downand then reduced to a single number. Thus, a person born on 16November 1945 would have a birth number of 1, calculated as follows:

1 + 6 + 1 + 1 (November is the eleventh month) + 1 + 9 + 4 + 5 = 28.

Being a composite number, 28 is broken down to 2 + 8 = 10

And 10 being a composite number is broken down to 1 + 0 = 1

The associations of this number with the Sun and the fire signs Leo,Sagittarius and Aries spell leadership. In many religions it is thenumber of resurrection and being the first number, rising from thechaos of nothing, it is linked with new beginnings, breaks with thepast and with limitless energy. It is often linked with assertivenessand masculinity.

People whose birth number is one are often striking to look at, with a

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1

Star sign Ruling planet Number

Aries Mars 9Taurus Venus 6Gemini Mercury 5

Cancer Moon 2/7Leo Sun 1/4Virgo Mercury 5Libra Venus 6Scorpio Mars 9Sagittarius Jupiter 3Capricorn Saturn 8Aquarius Saturn 8Pisces Jupiter 3



mane of fair hair, a lean, athletic body and with beautiful skin that tansglowingly and quickly. (Not, of course, that suntans should beencouraged, linked as they are with an increase in the number of casesof malignant melanoma). The overall impression created by those withthis number is one of action, fitness and good health.

But, being a young number, one can bring with it immaturity and atendency to sulkiness, especially towards those who spurn attempts tobe led. One people need loyalty and when they don’t get it, they feelslighted.

Linked to the Moon, now a symbol of femininity, two brings withstrong intuition, the power of deep thought and attractive sensitivity.Men with two as their birth number are often closely in touch withtheir feminine side, and twos of both sexes are often fair skinned

with pale, lustreless blonde hair and a dislike of bright sunshine.They may have a slight physique and show a tendency to underes-timate themselves, something that leads to them having difficultiesin standing their ground.

They are often so quietly spoken that one has to strain to hear what theysay. But they have a tendency to say one thing and do another,something that often causes difficulties in maintaining relationships.

A mystical number in many cultures, as witnessed by the Holy

Trinity of the Christian faith. Chinese philosophers believed thatthree was the number from which creatures that embraced the Yinand the Yang were created. People whose birth number is three areusually uncommonly intelligent and wise: they love life and have astrong sense of the sensual. The solid physique of youth can easilygive over to fat in middle age, if care is not taken.

Threes have outgoing personalities and share a dislike of their owncompany. They often have psychic abilities and love acquiringknowledge.

Another Sun number, albeit of the waning one, which in manycultures is symbolised by the serpent. Four people often have atough, aggressive nature but keep it hidden under the well-balancedfaçade they present to the world. They enjoy hard work and therewards it brings.They have tough bodies and quick, alert minds, butare often diffident when it comes to starting relationships, because of a curious lack of confidence. But make friends with a four and youhave friend for life. That said, remember the dragon that lurksbeneath the surface and be careful not to stir it.

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3

4

2



The number of the planet Mercury, messenger to the gods anddaughter of Maia after whom the fifth month, May, is named. Fivesare mentally and physically always on the move. They are oftenslender of build and find it hard to put on weight, thanks to the effecttheir constant hurrying and scurrying has on their metabolism.

They have persuasive tongues, especially when it comes to sex for theycan charm the birds off the trees and whoever they set their sights atinto bed. And cheerful extroverts they may be, but they can be anxiousand impatient. Also, their incessant movement often disguises prevari-cation: actually getting things done is quite a different thing fromlooking busy.

Their agile minds make fives good inventors. Their fertile imaginationsmake them good authors. Their behaviour may suggest genius: but itmight just as easily say madness. That’s the trouble with fives. AsBernard Shaw wrote, ‘You never can tell, sir, you never can tell.’

Venus’s number, six is the symbol of partnership, love and marriage.Those whose birth number it is can be fairly certain that they willenjoy loving and fruitful relationships. Blessed with good figures,their love of the good things in life might lead to a tendency to thesort of plumpness that was once fashionable, but which is nowfrowned upon in the lean times in which we live.

With their attractive bright eyes, six people have pleasing manners, areoutgoing and friendly. But they can also be curiously introverted and

enjoy the company of quiet, artistic people.They are home-loving peoplewho enjoy looking good, something that can make them appear overdressed.

There are seven days in the week, seven colours in the rainbow, sevenpillars of wisdom, seven branches on the Jewish menorah: seven isperhaps the most magical of the nine single-digit numbers withwhich numerology is concerned.

Seven people, though, are not in the least bit magical! They are rarelytall in stature, put on weight easily and often have poor complexions.

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

A B C D E F G H I

J K L M N O P Q R

S T U V W X Y Z

5

6

7



They care little about their appearance and their clothes are at bestfunctional, at worst scruffy.

But sevens could not be a friendlier lot of people. They are greatcompany and enjoy nothing more than seeing others enjoy themselvesas much as they do.

With Saturn its associated planet, eight is the number of secret, darkplaces. It is symbolic of the good aspects of old age – wisdom andpatience – and the unfortunate ones – regret, disillusionment andfailing health.

People whose birth number is eight are often lanky of build and areprone to having large, uneven teeth. Not that you will notice, for smilingis not something that Saturnine eights are prone to do often.

They mature earlier than their peers, something that makes them liableto express their opinions in an overly forthright way. But the strongideals that they have and their strong principles, often encourage othersto seek their advice, something that will be given in the cold, dispas-sionate way that is typical of the eight person.

Mars, god of war, rules nine, the number of wisdom and virtue – andtheir opposites – ignorance and profligacy. Nine people often havepowerful physiques, ruddy complexions and dark hair. They share a

tendency to have facial hair and to have been born with unfortunatebirthmarks.

Coming before ten, which reduces to one, nine rekindles the lifespark.This makes nines confident, often overconfident, which is somethingthat can lead to their being impetuous and accident-prone. And whilethey can be full of vitality and enthusiasm, ambitious and energetic, theycan also be insecure and quarrelsome, slapdash and autocratic.

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8

9



The Destiny NumberThis number shows life’s purpose, the opportunities that will present

themselves and how they should be used to achieve optimum potential.In calculating the Destiny Number, each letter of the full birth name isascribed a number. These are then added together and treated as aboveuntil a single number is reached.

Thus someone named at birth Michael Mitchell Johnstone wouldcalculate his Destiny Number as follows:

4 + 9 + 3 + 8 + 1 +5 +3 + 4 + 9 + 2 + 3 + 8 + 5 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 6 + 8 + 5+ 1 + 2 + 6 + 5 + 5 = 109 = 1 + 0 + 9 = 10 = 1 + 0 = 1

The name can also be used for more refined readings. By reducing thenumerical values of just the vowels of any name to a single numeral weget a number (the Name Vowel Number) that gives an indication thatsome say represents the Freudian ego – the exposed, conscious outer self.Correspondingly, the Name Consonant Number, calculated using onlythe numerical values of the consonants, represents the Freudian id – thehidden, unconscious self.

Name Vowel Numbers1 suggests an open, confident personality, but perhaps someone who

genuinely believes themselves to be better than their fellows. If thisgoes unchecked it might lead to selfishness and a tendency to offerthe hand of friendship only to fawning acolytes. But ones are agregarious group, who make friends easily and who enjoy money.

2 often indicates a lack of self-confidence and a tendency to beingperhaps just a little too laid back, but it also hints at great creativetalents. If twos can get their act together, they often make excellentcounsellors and caring members of the medical profession

3 points to a confident, extrovert nature, to people who enjoy the goodthings in life so much that they over-indulge in them. Those withthree as their Name Vowel Number are frank and honest to the pointof bluntness. They are natural teachers with a thirst for learning,especially about the arts.

4 says ‘responsibility’, ‘dependability’ and ‘stability’ but also ‘self-

doubt’. Four people claim to like freedom in their friendships and

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their jobs, but deep down they harbour a desire for a more structuredexistence. Emotionally, they tend to keep themselves to themselves.Professionally, they tend towards careers in the arts, architecture andas designers.

5 is often the Name Vowel Number of clever, quick-minded people

who enjoy learning languages and acquiring new skills. They mayhave quick tempers and be obsessive about cleanliness andpunctuality. They keep emotional commitments at bay, but love agood gossip.

6 is a number that suggests a well-balanced nature, perhaps a littlereserved and maybe a little over-polite. Those with this number areupset by anything controversial, untidy or unjust. They may sit onthe fence, seeing both sides of any argument, secretly longing tocome down heavily in favour of one side, but holding back fromdoing so.

7 encourages a bright, creative nature enjoyed by the sort of personwho is always on the go, bouncing here, there and everywhere, andwith a deep desire to please everyone at the same time. They can beintellectual but erratic, often starting ambitious schemes only todrop them when the first hurdle looms.

8 indicates a conventional nature, someone who is stable and cautious,but with a lively imagination that occasionally shows itself inbehaviour that surprises. People with this number don’t like suddenchange.They are often regarded as plodders,but they usually succeedin getting what they want, and then move on to something else.

9 is a pugnacious Name Vowel Number, often that of the sort of personwho sees things in black and white, with no shades of grey. They actfirst and think later, but their enthusiasm and generosity oftenmakes those affected by their rash decisions forgive them quickly.

Name Consonant Numbers1 suggests a strong sense of one’s own worth and the belief that one’s

own ideas are always the best on offer.

2 indicates a prolific imagination and the tendency to live in a fantasyworld.

3 points to a sensual nature and a feeling that one’s deeply heldreligious or psychic beliefs set one apart from one’s fellows.

4 says that a creative nature is married to common-sense but warnsthat persistence might be mistaken for donkey-like stubbornness.

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5 may make those with this number restless and eccentric, which somemay find appealing and others unbelievably annoying.

6 is a contemplative number, suggesting a liking for the meditative andthe mystical and a dislike of change.

7 is associated with an instinctive knowledge of how things are and

how they should be, and a liking for one’s own company.

8 speaks of caution, an unwillingness to take risks and a dislike of waste. But it also has hints of sexual passion.

9 is a number of deep desires often unfortunately coupled with aninability to express them, which often leads to dashed ambitions andunrealized dreams.

* * * * * * * * *

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It’s 1n the palm of your hand



Palmistry is the marriage of two ancient disciplines –cheirognomy, which studies what the shape and markings of

the human hand, its texture and colour, tell us about theperson’s character; and cheiromancy, which aims to use theinformation the hand holds to divine future events in life.

(Hands can also indicate some diseases: red palms can be a sign of seriousliver disease, for instance.)

Like so much of divination, palmistry was first practised in China morethan 3,000 years ago (where it was, and remains, part of a larger attemptto see the identity of the ‘correct path’ by scrutinizing not just the handbut the face and forehead) and in India where it is closely linked toastrology.

Aristotle taught the ancient art of chirosophy (xier = the hand andsophia = wisdom) to Alexander the Great, who at one point had a greatpart of the civilized world in the palm of his hand.

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In AD 315, six hundred years after Alexander died, a papal decreethreatened excommunication or in extreme cases death, to anyone‘outside the Church’, who practised palmistry. It was officially frownedupon during the reign of Henry VIII (r. 1509-47). But had King Henrypaid some attention to cheirognomy when he was courting AnneBoleyn, he could have been warned of trouble in store, for the young

woman was reputed to have an extra finger on her left hand – a sure signthat she was a witch!

As late as during the reign of George IV (r. 1820-30) it was decreed bythe British parliament that ‘Any person found practising palmistry ishereby deemed a rogue and a vagabond, to be sentenced to one year’simprisonment and to stand in the pillory.’

In Victorian times it came almost to be regarded as a science and waspopular in upper-class salons, middle-class parlours and working-class

kitchens. Oscar Wilde used palmistry as the theme of one of his stories,Lord Arthur Saville’s Crime, in which during a party a palm reader tellsthe young Lord Arthur that it is his destiny that he (Lord Arthur) willcommit murder. He does. At the end, driven to distraction by his fate, hekills the man who determined it.

Carl Jung, the famous psychologist, who studied introversion andextroversion, was fascinated by palmistry and his followers came tobelieve that the outward personality (the extrovert) is in the dominanthand and the inner one (the introvert) in the minor hand.The dominanthand reflects events that have happened and as they are unfolding now

– achievements and disappointments, changes of opinion – with thethree main lines (heart, head and life) representing the physical organsof the body. The minor hand can give an excellent insight into thesubject’s potential and what, deep down, they really want in life. In thishand, the heart, head and life lines signify the energies, nervous andsexual, that drive the subject.

Palmistry, like so much of divination, depends on two things – trustbetween the palmist and the subject, and instinct. The reading shouldtake place in a relaxed atmosphere rather than in a tent at the villagefete! A shaded, room fragranced with suitable essential oils is ideal.

An introductory chat can tell the palmist a great deal about the subject:which is the dominant hand; does the subject gesticulate as she talks; arethe hands open and relaxed, or are the fingers clenched into a fist; are thefingers adorned with rings. During this time, the reader might take theopportunity of taking the subject’s hand in hers, looking at the texture,the colour, the condition of the fingernails and blemishes. And, one of the most important aspects of palmistry – the shape of the hand.

The actual reading can be done by examining the hand physically or by

taking a palmprint. Either way, the hands being studied must be washedand thoroughly dried and free of rings.

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To make a palmprint (one for each hand) you will need:

1. A tube of fingerprint ink (available from specialist shops)2. A smooth metal or glass surface on which to roll out the ink.3. A hard rubber roller (available from specialist shops or photographic

supply shops).

4. Glossy paper.

Squeeze some ink on to the smooth surface and push the roller back andforth until it is evenly coated. Roll the roller over the hand to be printed,before placing a piece of glossy paper on a soft or rubbery surface andcarefully press the hand on to it gently. Now roll the hand off the papertowards the edge, so that the edge of the hand as well as the palm isprinted. The subject may need reassuring that the ink comes off easilywith a commercial hand wash.

Types of handsJust as no two people, not even identical twins, have identical finger-prints, so no two people have exactly the same hands.That said, though,

it is possible to identify six basic types of hand that can, in themselves,tell a great deal about the subject of the reading.

1. The normal or practical handThese tend to be on the clumsy side with fingers that are short incomparison with the palm. People with this type of hand often lackpatience and are quick to lose their temper. They also tend to be amongthe most passionate.

2. The square or elemental handPeople who have a tendency to being logical and, perhaps, creatures of habit often have square hands. They are also usually very helpfulindividuals who can be relied on in times of crisis.They are persistent tothe point of doggedness, conventional, always above suspicion – and veryoften boring!

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66

1. The Normal or Practical Hand

2. The Square or Elemental Hand

3. The Spatulate Hand

4. The Philosophical Hand

5. The Mixed Hand

6. The Physic or Pointed Hand



3. The spatulate handThe hand and fingers of this type represent a fan, which indicatesrestlessness and excitability – the sort of person who can go from oneextreme to another in the blink of an eye. Such people are often

inventive with an original view of the world that enables them to makediscoveries. They are risk-takers and good company, but can be slap-dashand have a tendency to bend the rules more than it is wise to do.

4. The philosophical handThese long, bony hands often belong to teachers, philosophers andintellectuals, who are always seeking the truth. The minutiae of life is of little concern to people with Philosophical Hands, they are far too easily

distracted. These are people who see the wider picture, often ignoringtheir immediate surroundings to the point that their untidiness borderson the eccentric.

5. The mixed handNeither one thing nor the other, these are probably the most difficult tointerpret. Sometimes such a hand is clawed, something that indicateslong-term anxiety over financial matters, or that the person is over-

timid and cautious in everything he or she does.

6. The physic or pointed handGraceful and conic in shape with pointed, tapering fingers and a longpalm, the Physic Hand suggests an intuitive person who is happy tofollow his own instincts and is usually quite right to do so.

All fingers and thumbsThe first thing to look at is the thumb, which represents will-power, andsee how it is held naturally. Insecure people tend to curl it up,defensively, within the palm. Then determine its size in proportion tothe rest of the hand. When the lower knuckle of the dominant hand’sthumb is placed at the bottom of the little finger, it should be about thesame length as that finger.

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Strong, thick, thumbs say that the sitter has the capacity to deal withwhatever life throws in their direction. Long ones indicate rational, clearthinking and leadership qualities. People with short thumbs tend to besubordinate to stronger characters, lacking the will to resist them, whichoften makes them unhappy. Aggressive tendencies are shown by shortstubby thumbs.

More information can be gleaned from the thumb’s phalanges, thesections between the joints and which are read from the top down, thefirst one representing will and the lower one logic. They should be aboutthe same length. If the lower one is longer, then its owner is probablysomeone who thinks and talks a lot – too much to get down to actuallydoing anything! If the upper phalange is longer, beware of a person whorushes head first into things and then cries for help as soon as troublethreatens.

Low self-esteem is indicated by a flattened thumb pad and is somethingthat often manifests itself in sexual promiscuity. A square tip indicates a

practical nature, and a spatulate one shows that the owner is good withhis hands.

The angle of the thumb to the index finger also yields significantinformation. If it is less than 45° the owner has a tendency to besomething of a control freak. An angle of 90° between the two says thatthe person is a charming extrovert, outgoing and great company. Bewarea thumb that curves significantly backwards: it sits in the hand of a killerin every sense of the word.

Each of the fingers is named, as follows. The first (index) finger, Jupiter,

indicates ambition and expansion. The second finger, Saturn, is

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The Jupiter The middle The ring The littlefinger finger finger finger



connected with judgement and knowledge. The third (ring) talks of exploits and achievements: it is the finger of Apollo.And the little finger,Mercury, is to do with observation and perception.

Generally, long fingers indicate that the person is something of a perfec-tionist, and extra-long ones say that he or she is prone to exaggeration.

Short fingers indicate an impatient nature.

The jupiter fingerA long index finger points to self-confidence and awareness. Its owner isambitious and more than able enough to achieve these ambitions. Aleader, this is a person to whom one can turn during any type of crisis. Amedium one shows that its owner is confident when confidence is calledfor, and modest when being such is the order of the day. And whoever

has a short index finger is shy, scared of failure, insecure and full of self-doubt.

The middle fingerA long middle finger talks of ambition without humour. Those with longmiddle fingers work hard to get ahead, and will. A medium-length oneindicates that the owner has the maturity to know when it is time towork and when it is time to play. A short middle finger is a sign of a

careless person who hates routine so much that disorganization is a wordoften used in his or her connection.

The ring fingerThe finger often associated with creativity, a long one points to anartistic nature that often leads its owner into considering design,especially fashion design, as a career. It can also warn of a gamblingstreak. One of medium length still points to having a creative nature, but

a more traditional, conservative one. A short ring finger means thatthere is little creativity in its owner’s nature.

The little fingerLength here indicates intelligence and excellent communication skillsthat make their owners excellent writers and speakers. They might alsohave a stronger than average sex drive. A little finger that is medium inlength says that the owner is of average intelligence – not too bright, but

not particularly dim either. And a short one means emotionalimmaturity and a tendency towards gullibility and naïvety.

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LengthThe comparative length of the fingers are also indicative of a person’snature. When the first finger is longer than the ring one, this isindicative of someone who is driven by their ego. Religious leaders and

senior officers in the services often have such fingers.

Where the second finger is flanked by index and ring fingers of equallength, the owner has a serious, controlled nature with a well-developedsense of curiosity.

If the third finger is longer than the index finger, then an emotional,intuitive nature is indicated, someone who makes a good doctor or nurse,and whose advice is always well worth listening to.

And if the little finger rises above the top joint of the ring finger, thenthis is a charismatic person with a quick wit and shrewd businessabilities.

ShapeThe shapes of the fingers are also significant. Square ones show arational, methodical nature, someone who thinks a lot at the expense of creativity. Fingers that are pointed indicate a sensitive nature, fragiledaydreamers who are often artists or writers. Someone with conicalfingers is usually a person with a flexible nature who often has excellentnegotiating skills and to whom emotional security is important, oftenover-important, to their well-being. People with spatulate fingers can beexhaustingly active not just physically but intellectually: they areinnovators and inventors, explorers and extroverts.

FingernailsFingernails, too, play their part in hand-reading. Square ones indicate an

easy-going temperament, while broad ones say, ‘Beware! I’m a strongcharacter with an explosive temper!’ Fan-shaped fingernails are a signthat the owner has been under some sort of stress for quite a long time.A gentle, kind nature is indicated by almond-shaped fingernails, but cansay that the person is prone to daydreaming. A selfish, cold personalityis shown by narrow nails. Wedge-shaped nails say that the person isoversensitive and as touchy as a nervous cat.

The nails can also indicate health problems. If they are dished, then theperson’s chemical balance is out of kilter. Dietary deficiencies may result

in horizontal ridges forming in the nails: whereas rheumatism maycause vertical ones running down the nails.

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The phalangesThese, the sections between the finger joints are read from the top down.The top one is concerned with introspection, the second corresponds tothe subject’s attitude to material concerns, and the third with physical

desires.

The major lines of the palmThe lines that criss-cross the palms of the hand are just one of the thingsthat professional palm-readers look at, whereas to the amateurs (and nodisrespect to them) who do readings at village fetes they are very oftenthe only thing that are considered. The professional interprets theirmeaning in conjunction with what we have looked at already, and theother marks that we shall mention later.

Plotting the chronology of the subject’s life and assessing whetherevents have already happened or when they might do so, involvesknowing where the lines begin. Horizontal lines should always be readfrom the thumb side of the hand, and vertical ones from the wrist.Flexibility is the keyword. Remember that in palmistry as in all things

concerned with divination nothing is written in stone.

It is impossible to be precise as to where a line starts and where it stops.Lines differ from hand to hand. Some may be stronger in one subjectthan in another; some may by straight or straighter while others havepronounced curves; some will start at the wrist, others up from it. Theline of one hand may stop at one particular mound while the same lineon another subject’s hand runs through it.

The life lineThis is the line that curves downwards from close to the thumb towardsthe wrist. The closer to the thumb it starts, then the less vitality thesubject is likely to have whereas the wider the curve the greater theenergy. A life line that is less well defined than the head line (see below)points to a person who is driven mentally rather than physically.

Chains in the life line are an indication of delicate health, and small linesrising from it denote versatility and physical activity. Lines that seem toswing out of the main one point to a desire to travel and see the world.

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Upward hooks along the line after some unfortunate event has beenindicated in the reading, suggest that the sitter has made a tremendouseffort to get back on their feet after some sort of setback; otherwise theyindicate achievement.

Splits along the line say huge change, conflict perhaps between domesticand professional life, a new job or relationship perhaps.

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1. The life line

2. The heart line

3. The fate line

4. The head line



The heart lineThis is the topmost major line, running horizontally from the side of thehand opposite the thumb. It’s the line that reveals relationships, not justromantic ones. If it is almost straight, romance plays little part in the

subject’s life: he or she views other people in a chilly, rational way. Astrongly curved heart line points to the subject who loves being in loveand shows it, the sort person who takes the lead in any relationship.

A heart line that curves steeply below the index and middle digitsindicates strong sexual desires and passions, not promiscuity, though:that can be shown by a short heart line close to the finger and points tothe Mound of Saturn (see below). Such a line also denotes practicality inmatters of the heart. But a line that ends under the middle finger saysthat the subject is the sort of person who is in constant need of love andreassurance.

If there are lots of branches off the heart line, the sitter enjoys meetingnew people and establishing friendships with them.

The fate lineThe line that runs from the wrist and runs upwards towards the Moundof Saturn represents career, marriage and children – the practical, centralsupporting aspects of life.A strong fate line indicates that the subject hassettled into life’s routines and accepts them happily. If it is not there oris very faint, then the sitter is unsettled and might have to change jobsseveral times before they make their way in life, and will have to do sowith little or no help from the family. But one that begins in the Moundof Venus (see below) suggests that the family will interfere, particularlyin romantic matters and those relating to the sitter achieving his or herambitions.

A fate line that almost reaches the middle finger says that the subjectwill enjoy an active old age. One that begins at the head line suggests

that academic effort has played an important part in the subjectachieving success in life. One that stops at the heart line is an indicationof sexual indiscretion.

An overly thick fate line means a period of anxiety at the time of lifeindicated by the chronology of the reading.

The head line

The line running between the life and heart lines. If it starts off tied tothe life line at the start, slavish obedience to and dependence on other

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people is indicated. If the two lines have distinct starting points (whichis usual) a well-balanced, independent nature is indicated.

A long head line points to a person who thinks before he acts: a short oneto someone who is quick-thinking and incisive. If the line doesn’t slantat all, the subject is likely to be an unsympathetic person lacking in

imagination. A slanting line indicates an imaginative and intuitiveperson. A line that curves rather than slants indicates lateral thinking.

Receptivity to new people is shown by the presence of lots of outwardbranches on the head line. If they point towards the Mound of Jupiter(see below) leadership qualities are suggested. If they point to Saturn, ahardworking nature is indicated and success in a job that requiresresearch. Artistic achievement is indicated by branches that pointtowards Apollo, and someone with branches pointing towards theMound of Mercury should look to a career in the communications

industry or business world. Downward branches suggest periods of depression, but one that runs to the Lunar Mound opposite to the thumbcan expect success in the arts or humanities.

The triangle and the quadrant

The triangular shape that is often formed by the head, heart and lifelines also has a meaning, as does the area between the heart and headlines, which is known as the quadrant.

A wide triangle is an indication of an open person, always willing to takeaction and with passions that are easily aroused. Meanness of spirit isindicated by a small, cramped triangle.

A wide quadrant is an indication of an impulsive nature that cares littlefor what the world thinks. But a small quadrant, marked with many linessuggests timidity and fear, someone who is constantly concerned aboutwhat people think of them.

The minor linesWhereas most of us have the major lines engraved in the palms of ourhands, many of us will not have all of the lines that follow – and theirabsence can be as significant as their presence.

The success line

Often called the Line of Apollo, the line that runs vertically from the

palm towards the middle finger is the line of fame, fortune and success

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in that which the subject finds important. If it is not there, the subjectbelieves that success can only come through hard work. If there is abreak in it, a period of some sort of struggle is indicated.

The health line

Ideally, the line that on many hands runs up the radial side of the hand,towards the little finger and which is sometimes called the Line of Mercury should not be present, for it indicates an overdeveloped concernfor health. One that starts close to the Mound of Venus (see below)

suggests bad digestion and a long health line on a very lined hand saysthat worry could cause ulcers.

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1. The success line

2. The health line

3. The Mars line

4. The via lascivia5. The girdle of Venus

6. Travel lines

7. Bracelets

8. The bow of intuition

9. The ring of Saturn

10. The ring of Solomon



The Mars line

Running inside the life line, this is an indication of someone who hasvitality with a capital ‘V’.

The via lasciviaA horizontal line that runs across the Mound of the Moon (see below)can indicate that the subject suffers from allergies or that an addiction of some sort is causing problems.

The girdle of Venus

If it is there at all, seen as a semi-circle above the heart line and coveringthe Mounds of Saturn and the Sun (see below), it says that the subjectis a person of an unusually sensitive nature.

Travel lines

Running horizontally from the outer side of the hand, below the littlefinger and lying across the Mound of the Moon (see below) in the lowerleft corner and on the lower Mars Mound (see below) these little linesindicate important journeys. And the stronger and longer they are, themore important is the journey.

BraceletsThese are the horizontal lines between the wrist and the palm. Three of them indicate a long life. If the top one curves and pushes up towards thepalm, it could mean that infertility is a problem.

The bow of intuition

A very unusual line found opposite the thumb, starting at the Mound of the Moon (see below) and curving up towards the Mound of Mercury

(see below), this is an indication of intuition and prophetic ability.

The ring of Saturn

Another rare line, seen as a small arc below the middle finger, indicatinga reclusive nature and tendencies towards miserliness.

The ring of Solomon

People who are well respected for their common sense often have this

line, which runs round the base of the index finger, skirting the Moundof Jupiter (see below).

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The moundsThe raised pads on the hands are called ‘mounds’ or ‘mounts’ and varyin size and the degree to which they are pronounced. They speak of thesubject’s character. Running widdershins from the base of the thumb, themounds are as follows.

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The mound of VenusFound at the base of the thumb, it is to do with harmony and love. Broadand well-developed, it suggests a strong sex life and a love of all that issensual, but also a deep love of the family. Sitting high and soft to the

touch it is an indication of excitability and fickleness. If it is depressed orflat, then the subject may by indolent and careless, but before rushing tocriticize, this could be caused by ill health.

The mound of NeptuneSitting at the base of the palm, in the middle of the hand, the mound of Neptune is often not prominent, but when it is so and it is welldeveloped, then the subject is probably a person of some charisma.

The mound of the MoonAt the bottom of the ulna side of the hand, the mound of the Moon isrelated to travel and to the unconscious. If it is very pronounced, itsuggests a person of vivid imagination but introspective nature, with atendency to mendacity.

Sensitivity and a perceptive nature are indicated by a normal-sized

Moon mound, while those who have a flat one are probably dull andunimaginative, and unstable people with a frosty nature.

Mars LowerFound on the outside edge of the hand above the mount of the Moon,this represents motivation. If it is large, though, there is a tendencytowards violence and argument, while a small one may say that thesubject is something of a coward. A normal Mars Lower suggests

courage, someone who will pick up the gauntlet and fight for a cause hebelieves in.

The mound of MercuryThis is the mound of self-expression, of travel and of business abilities.A large one suggests a good sense of humour and a warm, receptivenature. Powers of persuasion, subtlety and quick-thinking are indicatedby a normal-size one. But if it is flat, then the subject could well be a bit

of a dull loner, shy perhaps or just lazy.

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The mound of ApolloSituated at the base of the ring finger, this has to do with success, charmand creativity. High-achievers in the media, on stage and in sport, oftenhave pronounced mounds of Apollo, but they can be prone to hedonism,

extravagance and pretentiousness. An undeveloped one indicates aperson who is dull, whose life is aimless and has no interest in culturewhatsoever.

The mound of SaturnSitting at the base of the middle finger, this mound if it is over-prominent suggests someone who is gloomy bordering on beingreclusive, so intent is he on keeping his head down and earning money.

If it is flat or undeveloped, the person is your ordinary man in the street.If the mound merges with Jupiter (see below) it implies someone who isambitious and serious. And if it merges with Mercury (see above) thenthe subject could well be passionate about the arts.

The mound of JupiterRepresenting how will-power can be used to achieve ambition, thismount, if well rounded, suggests that its owner is confident that he will

succeed. People with large Jupiters like everything to be just so, but theycan be generous. If the mount is especially high, then arrogance is a wordthat is probably associated with the subject. A flat, undeveloped Jupiteris a sign of laziness and selfishness and a dislike of authority.

Mars UpperIn the crease of the thumb, a large Mars Upper is a sign of bad temperand cruelty, and a sharp, sarcastic tongue. Moral courage is indicated by

a normal Mars Upper and cowardliness by a flat one.

The plain of MarsNot a mound, obviously, the plain of Mars is in the hollow in the centreof the palm. If the lines around it are distinct and unbroken, the subjectprobably enjoys good health and prosperity and can look forward to along life. Optimism is indicated by a flat plain, but should it be hollow,then in all likelihood the subject lacks drive and ambition.

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Minor marksAs well as from the lines and mounds, diviners can also get information

from the small marks that many of us carry in the palms of our hands.

Ascending linesBranching upwards from the main lines of the hand, these indicate extraenergy, and if they continue onwards towards one of the mounds, thatmound indicates the realm in which that energy is directed.

CrossesCrosses are not a good sign, as they draw out negative aspects of the lineon which they are found, although the less distinct the cross is, the lesspowerful the draw will be. A cross on the mound of the Sun indicatesbusiness or financial disappointment whereas one on the mount of Mercury signifies a dishonest personality. Relationships will suffer if there is a cross on Venus. A cross on the mound of the Moon suggestssomeone prone to self-delusion. But worse of all is a cross that is seen onthe mount of Saturn, for it signifies that ambitions will be particularly

hard to achieve.

Descending linesJust as an ascending line indicates an energy surge, so descending onespoint to there being less energy being directed towards the areasgoverned by the line from which they fork

Forked linesOn any of the major lines, forked ones indicate diversity related to thatparticular line. Forks on the life line may mean a change in direction atthe time indicated by where the fork is. Love affairs or perhaps a changein where the affections lie can be suggested by forks in the heart line. Afork at the end of the fate line points to a successful career bringing fameand fortune. And a fork at the end of the head line is a sign that thesubject is a good businessman.

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GrillesOften found on the mounts of the hand, these little noughts and crossesboards denote obstacles ahead in whatever the mount is associated with.Thus, a grille on Venus suggests greedy lust.

IslandsUneven circles on lines and mounts indicate weakness, listlessness andunwelcome change but changes that could lead to better things –eventually. On the life line for example, islands close to the start meantroubled teenage years. On the heart line, they can signify problemswith hearing or sight.

StarsSomething spectacular is in the air when there are stars on the mountsof the hand. On Jupiter it indicates a good marriage that will enhancecareer prospects with a consequent boost to finances. On the Sun, itsuggests that the subject’s special talents will bring fame and fortune. OnApollo, a star might indicate a major win of some kind or an artistictriumph, whereas a great step forward in knowledge is indicated by a staron Saturn.

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It’s in the stones



The word ‘rune’ means secret writing. Casting the runes –stones on which mystic symbols are engraved – began

several thousand years ago in Scandinavia, and has its rootsin Scandinavian mythology. The symbols represent birds,

animals and other things from the world of nature, although theirprecise meanings are now lost to us.

Runes were dedicated to Odin, the supreme deity in the Scandinavianpantheon, and associated with travel, healing, communication anddivination. According to Scandinavian myth, in his search for enlight-enment, Odin hung himself upside down on Yggdrasil, the World Tree,and impaled himself on his own spear for nine days. Gazing at theground, rune stones hidden in the Yggdrasil’s roots revealed themselves.

The legend probably has its own roots in the mythology of the Volsungr,a tribe of priest-magicians and guardians of the ancient forests, who usedan early form of runes (Ur Runes) to divine the future. At the end of the

last Ice Age, the Volsungr spread south, bringing their knowledgewith them. Later, they retreated back whence they came, butby then runic divination had spread throughout Scandinaviaand into central Europe.

By Roman times, the runes had evolved into Futhark, a runic

alphabet. Interpreting the meaning of the stones was a mysterygranted only to a few. The Roman historian Tacitus writing inGermania described a runic ceremony during which a branch wascut from a nut-bearing tree and cut into small pieces (rune slips)on which runic symbols were marked. These were cast on a whitecloth and interpreted by a priest.

Whenever a journey had to be made the runes were cast toestablish the most propitious time to set out, and so the runesfollowed the trade routes, across Europe and into Mediterraneanlands. The Vikings took them from Iceland to America, to Russia,

Turkey, Greece and even North Africa as evidenced by the runiccarvings found on monuments and other artefacts.

In Anglo-Saxon England, kings and bishops had the powerto read the runes, but the practice gradually died out,

not just in Britain but in other parts of the worldwhere Christianity (which regarded the use of runes as pagan) was taking hold. Some peoplecontinued to cast them, and some peoplecontinued to believe what they said, but just as

people who read the future through othermeans often came to be regarded as harmless

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eccentrics at best, dangerous heretics at worst, so casting the runes wassidelined to be something of a ‘party trick’.

Interest in them was renewed during the rise of German nationalism inthe nineteenth and twentieth centuries, when there was a revival of interest in Teutonic folklore, fuelled in no small part by Wagnerian

operas. But when this revival came to be intricately linked with Nazism,the runes once again fell into disfavour.

But with the renaissance of the ‘New Age’, runes have once againbecome popular, not just for divining the future and for increasing one’sknowledge of oneself but to be carried as talismans, each sign having itsown association.

The runes that are popularly used today are the Germanic Futhark set,which is divided into three sets (‘aettirs’) of eight runes each, making

twenty-four in all. Each of these aettirs is named after a Norse deity. Thefirst eight are dedicated to Freya, the goddess of love and lust, war anddeath. Hagal, the guardian of the other gods and goddess in the Norsepantheon, presides over the second set. And Tiwaz, god of justice and law,of war and of the sky rules the third aettir.

The qualities of these three gods influence the runes in the aettirdedicated to them, each rune having a double meaning – a material oneand a spiritual one. Nine of them read the same whichever way they arelooked at. The others can be drawn upright or reversed. But any of therunes may appear as a ‘merkstave’ (which literally means ‘dark stick’ and

implies a ‘dark’ meaning), depending on how the runes are cast. Notethat a ‘reversed’ or ‘merkstave’ meaning is not the opposite of itsprimary meaning, but usually has a more negative connotation.

Runes can help you to look deeply into the inner self, pinpointing fearsand desires and highlighting the hidden factors that will shape thefuture. They describe the positive and negative influences, pointing outways to use the former and overcome the latter, and to makeconstructive choices for the future.

The way in which the runes can be interpreted is given below. Being of such antiquity, there are variations in the names of each of them. Wegive the two most commonly used names for each symbol along with theliteral runic meaning and the facet of life with which it is mostintimately associated.

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Freya’s Aettir

Fehu/Feoh (Cattle = possessions and prosperity)

This is a sign of prosperity and material gain, probably from past effortsbeing rewarded. It signifies foresight and fertility and as an energeticrune, it speaks of new opportunities, social success. Reversed ormerkstave it signifies that what has been achieved, either tangible orintangible such as self-esteem may be lost, it also indicates failure,perhaps brought about by greed or stupidity. As a talisman, Fehu is goodfor achieving a goal, gaining promotion or to bring luck to a newbusiness.

Uruz/Ur (Bison = strength)

A rune of strength, courage and overcoming obstacles, the right way upit can indicate that what seemed to have been a loss, is in fact anopportunity in disguise. It speaks of action and good health, andpromises wisdom and the chance to gain a deeper insight into oneself.Reversed or merkstave, it suggests a character that is too easily led orinfluenced by others, something that can lead the subject into the land of lost opportunity. Drawn this way it also threatens ill health and

inconsistency, ignorance and callousness, brutality and violence. Anyoneseeking a surge in sexual potency or a stronger will, should wear Ur as atalisman.

Thurisaz /Thorn (Thorn = challenge or protection)

Drawn or falling the right way up Thurisaz suggests change of some sortand is also concerned with male sexuality and fertility. It can indicate theapproach of a destructive force or conflict, but one that will be seen off if instincts are listened to and followed. Merkstave or reversed, Thurisaz

warns of vulnerability leading to some sort of danger. It whispers of betrayal and the approach perhaps in the shape of a malicious personwith evil in their heart. Wear this rune as a talisman if seeking help instudy or meditation, or the resolution of an unfortunate situation.

Ansuz/Oss (A god = communication)

An increased awareness of what the future holds is heralded whenAnsuz appears. With its direct association with Odin, this is a rune of inspiration, wisdom, aspirations and communication. It promises

spiritual renewal and progress, clear vision and good health. Appearingthe wrong way, Ansuz implies that manipulative, selfish people will

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bring misunderstanding in their wake, which will lead to a feeling of disillusionment. It also warns to be on guard lest vanity and pomposityrear their ugly heads to the detriment of the subject. As a talisman ithelps in divination and in making wise decisions, it is also useful if thewearer seeks leadership.

Radio/Rit (Riding = action)

An indication of travel in all its many guises, be it physical such as aholiday or a change of location, a change of lifestyle, or perhaps anindication of a spiritual journey as the soul moves towards its destiny. Itoffers the chance to put things in perspective. Drawn merkstave orreversed, Radio suggests that a crisis of some sort is brewing or thatinjustice and irrationality will threaten disruption, bringing delusion inits wake. It can also suggest that the querent feels caged in by presentcircumstances. As a talisman it protects travellers, brings change and

eases unfortunate situations, particularly if a reconnection of some sortis being looked for.

Kenaz/Kaon (Torch = inner wisdom)

This is a rune of the inner voice and inner strength, of guidance andillumination. It promises that light will be cast into the dark places,bringing regeneration in its glow. It promises the ability to create newrealities that bring with them hope and invigorating strength. Face downor reversed though, it stifles creativity and says that illness and negative

influences – dissolution, hopelessness, mendacity and despair – willcloud life in the immediate future. Wear or carry a Kenaz rune as atalisman to dispel anxiety and fear, for inspiration and creativity.

Gebo/Gifu (Gift = partnership)

Generosity is the word that is often associated with Gebo, which relatesto all kinds of exchanges including contracts, love, marriage and sexualcongress. Gebo promises balance and equality. It is a rune that cannotappear reversed, but if it is cast merkstave, then greed and loneliness will

cast their shadows causing spiritual and emotional emptiness. Gebo is anexcellent talisman to strengthen a relationship and to bring luck andfertility.

Wunjo/Wunna (Joy = pleasure)

Bringing comfort, joy and pleasure in its wake, along with the promiseof prosperity, good fellowship and harmony, Wunjo also warns of thedangers of going to extremes. But if a little self-control is exercised, thenthe querent will benefit from their true worth being recognized. When

it appears the wrong way, Wunjo warns of sorrow and strife, and of beingalienated. It whispers of delays, of the dangers of drinking too much,and

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of being possessed by uncontrollable rages. Worn as a talisman, Wunjohelps to motivate and to bring unfinished tasks to successful conclusion.

Hagal’s Aettir

Hagalaz/Hagal (Chaos = change and destruction)

Hagal, the Mother Rune, indicates uncontrolled forces wreaking havocand disrupting plans and ushering a time of trials and tests. But all is notlost, for Hagal also suggests that the crises will lead to completion orclosure of some sort that heralds an inner harmony. Merkstave (it cannotbe reversed) it says that a catastrophic natural disaster may be about tostrike. And on a personal level it indicates loss of power and a period of stagnation, hardship and loss, brought about perhaps by ill health. As atalisman, Hagal removes unwanted influences and what appears to be acircle of never-ending destruction.

Naudhiz/Naut (Need = constraint)Representing needs that can be met by reacting positively to deprivation,Naudhiz says that conflict can be overcome by willpower, that delays andrestriction can be endured and have to be and that fears have to be faced.Reversed or merkstave it suggests that freedom will be restricted, thatself-control is essential as poverty and deprivation beckon. It also hintsat emotional hunger. Wear it as a talisman if there is a need that has tobe fulfilled, or to turn a negative fate into a positive one.

Isa/Is (Ice = standstill or stillness)Another rune that is irreversible, this is a reinforcing rune, underliningthe message of those around it. It talks of challenging frustrations, thatcreativity is being blocked by psychological forces, and that this time of standstill is a time to look inwards and wait for clarity to appear.Merkstave it is a ghastly rune, presaging treachery and deceit, andwarning the querent to beware of being ambushed by the plotting of others. As a talisman it can be worn to give breathing space or to bringsomething to an end.

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Jera/Yer (Year = harvest and life cycles)

This is the rune of the harvest, when the results of previous efforts canbe gathered in. It heralds in a happy period of peace. Jera also says that abreakthrough of some sort will bring a period when things have becomestagnant. Merkstave (Jera can’t be reversed) it warns of an unexpected

reversal of fortune which may mean a major change in life. Conflictbecomes unavoidable, poverty beckons and timing goes awry. Wear it asa talisman to encourage change and fertility.

Eiwaz/Yr (Yew = endings and mysteries)

The yew tree represents the cycle of death and rebirth and when Eiwazappears, natural endings leading to new beginnings are suggested.Changes and turning points, maybe brought about by fears beingconfronted, lie around the corner. Merkstave, it warns of confusion and

destruction, and an inability to get round something that is blocking theway. As a talisman it can bring about huge changes or show the wayaround huge difficulties.

Perthro/Peorth (Dice cup = initiation, the essence of one’sbeing)

A rune that says that deep transformative powers are at work, the runeof what has yet to be revealed and the rune of taking chance. It canindicate mystery and secrecy and psychic abilities. Merkstave it warns of

harmful addiction and stagnation, bringing with it an inability tounderstand others and a sense of finality. As a talisman it helpsdivination and enhances psychic powers. Pregnant women often wear orcarry Perthro as it is believed it eases the pain of childbirth.

Algiz/Aquizi (Elk-sledge = protection)

This is often regarded as one of the most difficult runes to interpret. Itsuggests that help will come from an unexpected quarter to ward off athreat of some kind. Algiz also offers a connection to the powers inwhose hands lies our fate and encourages us to channel our energiestowards the greater good. Reversed, it is a sign that hidden dangers lieahead, ill health may be about to strike and a warning to consider anyadvice from a third party before acting on it. Algiz protects as a talismanand helps build defences.

Sowilo/Sig (Sun = wholeness and potential)

The rune of potential and success, energy and expansion, Sowilopromises that goals will be achieved and honour bestowed. It presages aunion between the conscious and the unconscious: but it also counselsrestraint. Merskstave it speaks of bad advice leading to false goals being

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set, of despair and of retribution. Sig, as a talisman, gives a boost toenergy levels, increases strength, and encourages enthusiasm.

Tiwaz’s Aettir

Tiwaz/Tiu (Star = justice and victory)

Honour, justice, leadership and authority are words that are commonlyassociated with Tiwaz. The rune says that the questioner knows wherehis true strengths lie and points to a willingness to self-sacrifice. Itpredicts victory and success in a competition that is on the horizon, orin a legal matter in which the subject is involved. Reversed or merkstave,it suggests a reversal in energies and creative flow. It hints that thequerent suffers from metal stagnation, that he or she is over-analyticaland prone to self-sacrifice. Justice and imbalance often appear in thewake of Tiwaz reversed, along with strife, war and conflict, a failure incompetition and if all that wasn’t bad enough, dwindling passion,

difficulties in communication and perhaps a separation of some sort. Asa talisman, Tiwaz protects the material surroundings, brings victory,strengthens will and can help heal wounds.

Berkano/Birca (Birch = rebirth)

Berkano is the rune of birth, general fertility, mental, physical andpersonal growth and liberation. Berkano brings the light of spring withit, promising new growth and new beginnings. A meeting might beheralded that will bring with it arousal and desire. Berkano also promises

that an enterprise or new venture that has been begun will be successfuland bring prosperity. Reversed of merkstave is a warning of familyproblems and domestic troubles and that someone close to the querent iscausing anxiety. If this rune is cast the wrong way, beware of carelessnessand loss of control, a blurred consciousness, deceit, sterility andstagnation. As a talisman Berkano can be used for healing infections, tobring about a good harvest and to make a fresh start.

Ehwaz/Eh (Horse = harmony)

Transportation of some kind – a horse, a car, plane, boat or any othermeans of transport is indicated when Ehwaz appears. It heralds change,

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and change for the better, brought about by gradual development andsteady progress. The rune promises harmony and teamwork, trust andloyalty. If a marriage is in the offing when Ehwaz appears it will be anideal one. It also confirms beyond any doubt the meaning of the runesaround it in a reading. Reversed or merkstave is not necessarily a badsign, rather it suggests a craving for a change of some sort, a restlessness

or being confined in a situation not of the subject’s own making. But itcan also presage reckless haste, disharmony, mistrust and betrayal.WearEhwaz as a talisman to bring power, for communication purposes and, if the querent is a believer in Wicca or witchcraft, Ehwaz is the runictalisman that best helps to deliver it.

Mannaz/Man (Man = the self, humanity and tradition)

Mannaz talks of the subject’s attitude towards other people and theirattitude towards the subject, it mentions friends and enemies, social

order. Mannaz is concerned with intelligence, forethought and creativeskills and abilities. When the rune appears the querent can expect toreceive some sort of aid or cooperation. Reversed or merkstave is awarning of depression, mortality, blindness and self-delusion.And if thatwasn’t bad enough, it also says beware of cunning, slyness, manipulationand that no matter where help is looked for, it won’t be found.A Mannazrune can be worn as a talisman to represent someone else or a group of people, and to establish social relationships.

Laguz/Lagu (Water = life forces and emotions)

Laguz is a rune of the sea, of water’s ebb and flow and of the healingpower of renewal. It emphasises imagination and psychic matters,dreams and fantasies, the mysteries of the unknown. It hints at theimportance of what is hidden or belongs to the underworld. Reversed ormerkstave, Laguz is an indication of a period of confusion in the subject’slife and that they may be making wrong decisions through lack of proper

judgement. They may be suffering from a lack of creativity or scaredthat they are in a rut. At its worst, a reversed or merkstave presagesinsanity and obsession, and being cast into such deep despair thatunspeakable thoughts come to mind. As a talisman, Laguz enhancespsychic abilities and helps those who wear or carry it to face up to theirfears. It stabilizes emotional disorders and helps uncover what is hidden.

Ingwaz/Ing (The earth god, Ingwaz [Ing] = people)

Ingwaz is concerned with male fertility, gestation and internal growth. Itis all about common sense and simple strengths, the home and love of the family, caring and human warmth. It presages a period of rest andrelaxation, when anxieties disappear, loose strings are tied and querentsfind themselves free to move in new directions. Irreversible, if Ingwaz

appears merkstave, it brings impotence, movement without change and

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hard work that brings little reward. Wear Ingwaz as a talisman to bringfertility and growth, to encourage good health and restore balance if ithas gone walkabout.

Othala/Odal (Homestead = ancestral property)

A rune of possessions, house and home, and what the subject holds to betruly important in their lives. It is also a rune of groups, promising grouporder and prosperity. It is, too, concerned with homelands and spiritualheritage, experience and fundamental values. It promises aid in spiritualand physical journeys. It is a source of safety and of abundance. Reversedor merkstave it forewarns of customary order and totalitarianism. Itpromises bad karma, prejudice and narrow-minded provincialism. As atalisman, Othala helps the wearer to acquire property, to bring a projectto successful conclusion and to strengthen family ties.

Dagaz/Dag (Day = integration)

Dagaz suggests the dawning of breakthrough, awareness and awakening.It promises that clarity will light up the subject’s life and says that nowis the time to embark on a new enterprise. When Dagaz is drawn up, thesubject is being told that using one’s will can bring about desired change.It talks of security and certainty, growth and release. Merkstave (itcannot be reversed), it is not a particularly bad sign, presagingcompletion and ending, although at worst it can say that hope is aboutto be lost. Dagaz, as a talisman, brings a positive outcome to any

situation that concerns the carrier.

Modern rune sets often contain a blank one. Being an invention of the1980s, there is no historical support for this and it should not be used byanyone who takes the runes seriously. But, those who do use it refer toit as Wyrd and interpret it as a sign that all possibilities are open: thatlife is what you make it, although it does acknowledge outside influencesthat are beyond the subject’s control. Being blank, it cannot be castreversed or merkstave.

Traditionalists also scorn the use of rune cards – the term is hopefullyself-explanatory – but they are convenient and can be slipped into ahandbag or pocket more conveniently than a bag containing twenty-fourstones. They can be used more discreetly when a question arisessuddenly, and a believer wishes to consult the runes to find the answer.

Both cards and stones are readily available at specialist shops. Somepeople prefer to make their own, and do so with appropriate ceremony.Whichever, the runes should be kept in a special bag, velvet or silk isbest, and perhaps of a colour with which the user has special associations.

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Runic spreadsThere are several spreads that can be used to divine the future by castingthe runes. The twelve-rune circle is one that is often used, as is the nine-stone sacred grid and the cross. Many commercially available rune sets

come with instructions on these and other ways of using them, many of which are based on Tarot spreads.

But perhaps the simplest (and simplicity is often the most effective) isthe three-rune spread whereby the querent focuses on the question to beanswered and casts three runes. The first one indicates the situation, thesecond the action required and the third reveals the outcome. Once thevarious symbols, their meanings and the variations that result in a runebeing drawn merkstave, have been understood, it is not too difficult touse the runes to help find the answer to any question.

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It’s in the stars



‘Why ask for the Moon when we have the stars!’

Cassius’s words to Brutus in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesarsuggest that the noble conspirator had little belief inastrology. Not of course, that Shakespeare would haveknown. But it would have been strange if the Roman assassin

had not believed that the stars had some influence on the course of events, for by 44 BC, the year when Caesar was murdered, astrology hadbeen an accepted part of life for many centuries.

In essence, astrology is the study of how the Sun, Moon, planets andstars are supposedly related to life on Earth. It is based on the belief thatthese heavenly bodies form patterns that reveal a person’s character orfuture. In addition to its influence on individuals, astrology has been andstill is applied over wider areas. Comets, eclipses of the Sun and Moonand other unusual astronomical events have been taken as portents of war and calamities.

Although very early agricultural societies – in Babylon, Egypt (partic-ularly in Egypt) and China - linked the regular movements of the Sun,planets and stars to the seasons, the rains and the growth cycles of their

crops, the principles on which modern astrology is based were laid downaround 4,000 years ago in Babylon, present-day southeastern Iraq.

With the development of mathematics, the Babylonians were able toprepare refined astrological observations and calendars, much moresophisticated than anything available to the Ancient Egyptians and theircontemporaries in other parts of the world. Not surprisingly, therefore,early astrology was strongly linked with astronomy and religion. Thelink with astronomy persisted until the time of Tyco Brae and JohannesKeeper in the sixteenth century. And whereas astronomy, in the West atany rate, is regarded as a science, astrology has come to be regarded as a

divinatory art that sceptics call pseudo-science.

To the Babylonian astrologers, the movements of the heavenly bodieswere linked to a complex mythology, which, somewhat modified, becamethe basis of astrological interpretations in the West. The Babylonians’astronomical and astrological studies were preserved and developed bythe Greeks and the Arabs and astrology was popular in the Europe of theRoman Empire. However, it fell from favour with the coming of Christianity, as people sought guidance from religious leaders ratherthan astrologers.

But from the eleventh century onwards astrology found itself back in

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favour, with many monarchs employing their own royal astrologers.

Among these sages was Nostrodamus, the court physician to Charles IXof France. His prophecies, many based on astrology, were published in1555 and still sell today, especially in times of crisis. Not only is hebelieved by his admirers to have predicted the First and Second WorldWars, he is said to have foreseen the rise of the Kennedy clan in theUnited States, and even the events of September 11.

Interestingly, but perhaps not surprisingly, astrology was alsodeveloping on the other side of the world. When the Spanish conquis-tadors conquered Mexico and Guatemala in the early sixteenth century,among the writings they found were several astronomical treatises

dating from a thousand years before, drawn up by the Mayans whodeveloped astrological systems linked to astronomical observations anda highly accurate calendrical system.

There are two main types of astrology in use around the world. In thefirst, a chart is drawn up according to the time of birth of the personwhose horoscope is being cast. In the second astrology, the chart is castfor a precise moment when a question is to be asked by the subject andanswered by the horoscope.

Sidereal astrology is used mainly in the East and Vedic astrology, withits fatalistic, karmic approach is popular in India.

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An astrological conceitUnderlying astrological concepts is the image of the zodiac, a band of

constellations lying in the apparent paths of the Sun, Moon and theplanets. The zodiac is divided into twelve equal parts called signs. Each of the signs has certain characteristics, which are determined by a particularplanet and other factors. Astrologers believe that the signs determinehow the planets affect a person’s character.

The zodiac was originally developed by the ancient Egyptians andrefined by the Babylonians, Greeks and Romans whose names for theplanets and signs of the zodiac are those we use today. Some of thesenames refer back to the Babylonians. For example, the heaviest rainfall

(not that it was all that heavy) occurred in Babylon when the Sun was ina certain constellation. As a result, astrologers called that constellationAquarius, the water bearer, a name that western astrology still usestoday. Others are called after mythological animals: Cancer the Crab, Leothe Lion and so on. A different set of zodiacal animals is used as a basisof Chinese astrology, which is best known in Japan, Korea and SoutheastAsia.

Astrologers place the Earth at the centre of things. They adopt thisconceit to enable them to determine the positions of the heavenly bodiesin relation to the Earth, believing that studying these positions can

reveal a person’s character and future. Around the Earth, revolve theplanets, which for astrological purposes include the Sun and the Moon.(Until 1757, when William Herschel announced the discovery of Uranus,astrologers knew of just six planets – Venus, Mercury, the Earth, Mars,Saturn and Jupiter.) Each planet is ascribed a force that affects a personin its own, particular way. Astrologers believe that the planets influencea person more than any other aspect of astrology.

Astrologers divide the Earth’s surface into twelve houses, each of whichpresents certain characteristics of an individual’s life. Astrologers holdthat the houses determine how the planets influence a person’s daily life.

The future charted outArmed with knowledge of the constellations and the position of theplanets in them at any time, astrologers draw up their horoscopes, charts

that show the relative position of the Sun, Moon, stars and planets at agiven time. Horoscopes can be prepared as a birth chart for an individual

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or a more general chart assessing the influence of the planets and starson daily life.

To draw up a birth chart the astrologer needs to know the exact time(Greenwich Mean Time) and date of birth. All astrologers worth theirsalt will have a set of Ephemeris tables, which show the position of the

planets within each constellation for as far back as needs be. Each of thetwelve signs is believed by astrologers to be associated with definiteaspects of character – temperament, physiology and other attributes. Inestablishing the relative positions of the heavenly bodies in their charts,astrologers claim to be able to predict the future of the subject and advisehim or her of paths to follow or actions or decisions to make.

More general horoscopes can be cast for all those born under a particularsign for any period – day, week, month and year – and these are thehoroscopes that most of us read in out morning papers or glossy

magazines. Newspapers began publishing them, in England, in the 1930sand it wasn’t long before they spread to other countries.

Interest in astrology has increased since then and today, with many morepeople seeking to live their lives more in tune with the natural rhythmsand cycles of nature, with their minds more open to new horizons,astrology is more widely followed than ever before.

A little basic informationIt takes one year for the Earth to revolve around the Sun, and in doingso it follows an elliptical path (at one time it was thought that its pathwas perfectly circular, but in 1609, Johann Kepler showed that this wasnot the case. Between the two are Venus and Mercury. All the otherplanets – Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto – are fartherfrom the Sun than the Earth.

Astrologers divide the circle of the elliptic into twelve equal sections of 30 degrees each. The first starts at the point where the Earth’s equator,projected into space, crosses the plane of the elliptical on 21 March – theVernal or Spring Equinox. This is the first day of Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac. Each of the sections is allocated one of the Zodiac signs.People born under each sign are ascribed the characteristics identifiedwith their sign, something we shall come to later.

The twelve signs represent the natural cycle of the year. The first sixsigns span spring and summer, the sunshine-filled months of birth andgrowth to maturity, when the countryside is clothed in green and, in the

northern hemisphere we sow our crops and, later, harvest them. WhenVirgo gives way to Libra, things change: the Sun loses its warmth, our

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fields lie brown and empty and our lives seem similarly dull andlacklustre. But with Pisces, the smell of change is in the air. Rebirth isaround the corner. The wheel has turned full cycle.

The signs are:

Aries, the ram 21 March – 20 AprilTaurus, the bull 21 April – 21 MayGemini, the twins 22 May – 21 JuneCancer, the crab 22 June – 23 JulyLeo, the lion 24 July – 23 AugustVirgo, the virgin 24 August – 23 SeptemberLibra, the scales 24 September – 23 OctoberScorpio, the scorpion 24 October – 22 NovemberSagittarius, the archer 23 November – 21 DecemberCapricorn, the goat 22 December – 20 January

Aquarius, the water bearer 21 January – 19 FebruaryPisces, the fish 20 February – 20 March

(These are the generally accepted dates: occasionally they may differ bya day.)

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To prepare a horoscope, which is based on the positions of the planets inthe zodiac signs and houses, a horizontal line is drawn across the centreof a circle.The line represents the horizon: the planets that are above thehorizon at the time the horoscope is being prepared will be drawn abovethe line, the others below it.

The houses are marked around the edge of an inner circle, the first onebeing immediately below the horizon line on the left of the circle andproceeding anticlockwise so that the twelfth house is immediately abovethe first. The zodiac signs, the positions of which vary according to thetime and year, are marked around the circumference of the outer circle.The position of the planets is marked in the space between the two. Byreferring to various tables, astrologers can position each of them in itsrespective constellation, and each constellation in its respective house forthe date required and then analyse the chart and give their reading.

It is not possible in the confines of a book such as this to detail everyaspect of the horoscope and what each one means. The variations are toomany and too detailed to allow that. But thanks to modern technology,having a personal birth chart drawn up is no longer the preserve of therich and royal as it was in times gone by. There are several excellent websites from where, for a fee, a personal chart can be obtained. All theenquiring reader has to do is refer to a decent search engine, key in theappropriate words and a range of options will appear.

The planetsEach sign of the zodiac is ruled by one of the planets, each of whichcontrols an aspect or aspects of our lives.The Ancients, believing that theEarth was at the centre of things, thought there were five planets.When

it was realized that the Earth was a planet, astrologers disregarded this,and decided to keep our planet at the centre of things. But when in 1781,William Herschel sighted Uranus, in 1846 when Johanne Gallediscovered the existence of Neptune and in 1930 Pluto floated into theken of American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, astronomers were forcedto reconsider things. These three planets have now been assimilated intopresent-day astrology, but things may have to change again, if, as someastronomers believe there is a tenth planet. It is, they say, the only wayto explain Pluto’s eccentric orbital path.

Jupiter, the supreme god in the Roman pantheon, tells us of our need for

expansion, abundance and wisdom. It is concerned with what we believe

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in and the philosophies that colour our lives. Being an expansive planet,it is also linked with excess.

Mars, named after the god of war, is the planet most concerned with theway we assert ourselves and what it is that drives us. It powers ouractivities and energies.

Mercury, the messenger of the gods, is said to tell us about our intellectsand the way in which we express our ideas. It is also connected to oursiblings and our relationships with them.

The Moon and our emotional nature go hand in hand. It influences thetype of nurturing we need from our mothers to make us complete, well-rounded people. It is also influences how we relate to others.

Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, demonstrates our need to be at one

with the rest of humanity. It shows us how to be compassionate andcomplete, but it encourages a grey area between fantasy and reality andmakes it difficult for us to distinguish between the two.

Pluto, the Roman ruler of the infernal regions, is the planet that tells ustransformation is possible, pointing us in the direction in which we canexperience regeneration and showing how we can achieve it.

Saturn, the Roman deity who devoured all but three of his children,controls our ambitions, the way we accept (or don’t accept) our respon-sibilities and the very structure of our lives. In indicating our ability to

order out talents, it forces us to take stock of our assets and liabilities.

Uranus, the personification of the Greek heaven, brilliant Uranus lovesthe original and the unconventional, whether it be astonishing inventionor acts of wilful rebellion.

Venus, named in honour of the goddess of love, is said to be concernedwith our relationships and the choices we make in life, both personal andmaterial. It influences the decisions we make, especially when it comesto deciding the things and people we value.

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The housesEverything in astrology has its own particular significance, especially theposition of the planets in the various houses. By knowing the associ-ations that each planet has, and marrying these with the aspects of our

lives with which the houses are connected, astrologers can tell us muchabout ourselves. For example, knowing that Jupiter is connected withwisdom and the fifth house with self-expression, children, identity,security and play, a professional astrologer was able to say to someoneborn in Edinburgh at 16.10 on 16 November 1945 (the author), ‘Yourhappy and expansive childhood laid the foundations for a trustingattitude in life’. He went on, ‘You may be unreceptive to other people’sopinions or oversensitive when your own opinions are challenged.’ Bothof which (and much of the rest of the horoscope) were remarkably (insome aspects, too remarkably) accurate!

House Concerns

First Self-absorption, personal projection and appearance.Second Values, self-worth, finances and assets, and securityThird Travel, local network, siblings and communicationsFourth Foundations, family, ancestors and home atmosphereFifth Self-expression, children, identity, security and playSixth Service, working environment, health and integrationSeventh Partnership, dealings with others and adversariesEighth Others resources, inheritance, secret powers and death

Ninth Long-distance travel, higher education and the lawTenth Ambitions, authorities, goals and professional expressionEleventh Social affinities, groups, friendships and political visionsTwelfth Withdrawal, isolation, the divine and inner worlds

The Sun signsThe position of the Sun in the sky is the easiest astrological observationto make. This is because throughout the year, the Sun moves approxi-mately one degree each day, and so it is possible to be precise about itsposition at any given date. It was this ease that made it possible fornewspapers in the 1930s to popularize astrology via the horoscopes theybegan to publish, setting the Sun’s dates at the beginning and end of eachsign of the zodiac, and making astrological predictions for each of theSun signs.

This was later refined by relating the sun-sign astrology to the yearlymovements of the planets, but even so, considering that in Britain there

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is a population approaching 60 million people and there are but twelvesun signs, each newspaper horoscope covers five million Britons!

The elementsThe four elements – Fire, Earth, Air and Water – play their part inastrology, three zodiac signs each sharing the nature of one or other of them.

Fire is associated with the creative, with vitality, enthusiasm, excitement,passion, energy, exhibitionism and having the ability to entertain.

Earth is the material element, concerned as it is with routine, the law,savings, tradition, building and legacy.

Air is the element of the intellect, of ideas, the thought process,explanations, gregariousness and discussion.

Water is all about the emotions – about love and anger, sentiment andsympathy, caring and tenderness.

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Sign types

Aries, the ram (21 March – 20 April)

Mars, FireWith Fire its element and Mars its ruler, people bornunder Aries are often lean and muscular, muddycomplexioned and red-haired. They are the first towelcome a stranger with a warm handshake and awarmer smile. They are completely extrovert and willinitiate adventures at the drop of a hat, regardless of

danger. Busy, restless, impatient, they are enthusiasticabout new ventures – at the beginning at least.Having probably done the spadework to get them off the ground, they soon get bored and are keen tomove on to pastures new at the first opportunity.

But then, their enthusiasm will have inspired others to take over.

That’s the good news! The worst in them comes out when they areinvolved in an argument (which they probably started): if they havesomething to say, out it comes, regardless of whom they hurt. They are

quick-tempered and if they have ever heard the word ‘diplomacy’ it’sdoubtful if they ever bothered to find out what it meant!

If they are ever tempted to tell a lie, they needn’t bother, for they can’t!But if you told them that, they wouldn’t believe you, for no one, but noone, can do anything better than an Aries, no matter what. They arealways right and quick to blame others when things go wrong. Theyloathe anyone interfering in their affairs, even if most of the decisionsthey make are on impulse.

They love to be the centre of attraction, are first on the dance floor at a

party – and first back in their seat. And tell an Arian a story in companyand it will instantly be capped by a better one.

But, they make good, if slightly authoritarian bosses. Career wise, theyare attracted to sport, politics and the armed services. If they are going tobe off work, it will probably be with a headache or, later in life, with eartroubles.

Arians have a strong romantic streak and like nothing better than beingflattered and appreciated. They are quick to give their heart – and just asquick to offer it to another . . . and another . . . and another. If any signis likely to change his or her mind at the altar, it’s an Arian, but if they

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do say, I do!’ they will expect that there will be one set of rules for themand another, more restrictive one for their spouse!

In matters of the heart, their most compatible signs are Leo andSagittarius. The former has a similar outlook in life to Arians, and likethem knows exactly what they want and how to get it. The two signs are

freedom-loving and adventurous and have an immediate understandingof one another. Sagittarians are suitable partners because they areusually prepared to try the new and unusual to keep their Arian partnerhappy.

People born under Aries are often attracted to Aquarians, but those bornunder the sign of the water carrier are independent and unwilling toallow themselves to be stifled by overpowering Aries. Marriage betweenthe two? No! A passionate, mutually enjoyable affair. Perhaps!

And if a secretive, sexy Scorpio shimmies into an Arian’s life, sparks willfly! There was a time when both these signs were ruled by Mars, the godof war, - and war is the likely outcome of a liaison between the two.

Taurus, the bull (21 April – 21 May)

Venus, EarthRuled by Venus and influenced by Earth, people withTaurus as their sun sign are often very physicallyattractive with large eyes and a fine complexion, andshiny hair that often flops Hugh-Grant style over theirforehead. They are affectionate and charming(sometimes a bit too charming to appear sincere), andlike Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner can hypnotizewhoever they talk to with their glittering eyes andsteady, innocent gaze.

Taureans are instinctive creatures and often come tomajor decisions without really knowing how they reached them. And

hence their talent for making amazing blunders. They don’t give theirtrust easily, though, and it’s unwise to meddle in a Taurean’s affairswithout being asked to do so.

Other signs are often duped into believing that patience is one of theTaurean’s virtues. Wrong! Dig a little deeper and you’ll find they are asstubborn as the proverbial mule. Not the most imaginative creatures,they won’t be rushed into things, disliking risks and gambles. Andwhereas other signs may be happy with wool, whisky and Welsh rarebit,it’s cashmere, champagne and caviar for luxury-loving Taureans. Theirlove of money often draws Taureans to choose banking as a career; their

need for security may encourage them to look to the civil service.

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When they fall in love, the Taurean is very possessive. Ideally, they needa conscientious and ambitious partner who will work towards theirmutual goals in a methodical manner. Capricorn and Virgo are the signsthe Taurean should look to, sharing with him or her a need for securitywhile at the same time valuing their independence. Cancerians wouldalso make good life partners, were it not for their often crabby, moody

nature. Scorpios should also be avoided by the Taurean who is lookingfor love, for both signs can be over-possessive and matching one with theother can be disastrous. It’s this trait that causes the Taurean to shy awayfrom forming deep, emotional relationships until they have gained a fairbit of experience in matters of the heart – that’s why Taureans are oftenlast in a circle of friends to walk down the aisle.They will wait, and wait,and wait and when the right person comes along they know instinctivelythat that’s the one. And when that happens and the knot is tied, they willexpect total fidelity and security, both emotional and financial, for themarried Taurean’s home is a luxurious nest to which friends will always

be welcomed and lavishly entertained.

Gemini, the twins (22 May – 21 June)

Mercury, AirGeminis are eternally youthful, never seeming tosurrender to the ravages of time, unlike the rest of us.Bright eyed, friendly and smiling, they dazzle strangersand friends alike into agreeing to anything they want.Immaculate in appearance, they work at keepingthemselves in tip-top shape: although there are twelvesigns in the Zodiac, it’s a better than twelve-to-onechance that the person pounding the treadmill next toyou at the gym is a Gemini.

They are never wrong. Not because they are alwaysright, but because, with Mercury as their planet, they

are mercurial of mind, forever changing it to make it hard foranyone to pin them down and prove them incorrect. They are curious tothe extreme. If anyone tells them half a secret, they will get to the

bottom of the rest of it, by hook or by crook.They love a good argumentand have the annoying knack of finding the flaw in the opposition’s caseand destroying it with one, quick remark. They love words, big andsmall, especially the big ones no one else understands, and use themsuperbly – in or out of context.

With air their element, it’s no surprise that Geminis are constantly onthe move all the time. They hate being stuck in the same place for toolong, be it in a long meeting or even in the same house. Their minds areon the go twenty-four hours a day and they are never content to limitthemselves to do one thing at a time. Someone once said that if you want

something done, ask a busy woman: if she’s a Gemini, all the better.

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Being romantically involved with a Gemini is an exciting, stimulatingaffair - not necessarily a long-term attachment, but a breathtaking oneall the same. They are best suited to Librans and Aquarians – fellow airsigns. Aquarians share with them a need for freedom; Librans love peaceat all costs, so will be more than happy to put up with Gemini’s faults,and their shared love of beauty will give them many common interests.

Geminis are often attracted to Leos, but the lion of the zodiac willusually prove too much for restless Gemini. If there is one sign thatGeminis should steer clear of at all costs, it’s Capricorn, a sign with manyvirtues, most of which bore Gemini to distraction.

But whichever signs lands Gemini for a partner, it should take heed thatthe heavenly twins seem to be quicker to the divorce courts than othersigns – so it’s no surprise that many of the most–divorced celebritieshave Gemini as their Sun sign.For freedom is always vital to Gemini andwhoever sets their sights at one or other of them should remember this

before moving in for the marital kill. But, with their love of words, ohhow they can set the heart a-flutter: get a love letter from a Gemini andtreasure it. Not because it’s rare, but because the words will sing off thepage and penetrate even the hardest heart. And it may be a tad cynical tosay it, but there are times when love is not the reason for a Gemini towalk down the aisle. Security? Perhaps. Or a step up the social ladder?Maybe. But love that’s destined to last forever...?

Career – wise, broadcasting, journalism or a literary career are ideal forword-loving Geminis. They need to communicate and they can. Theyalso feel that they can break free whenever they want – so it’s no

surprise to learn that many freelance workers or those who prefertemporary work to plodding along the career path, are born under thesign of Gemini.

Cancer, the crab (22 June – 23 July)

The Moon, WaterIt may seem unkind to say so, but if you know someonewho doesn’t seem to be in the right proportions – be they

tall and thin, or short and dumpy – it’s likely that youknow a Cancerian! With their crab-like long arms andslender legs, they seem to glide along, almost as if theyare afraid to take their feet off the ground in case theyfall over.

You might also recognize them by their clothes.Whereas ‘Mix and match’ is a maxim that fashionwriters often advocate, ‘Mix and clash’ is Cancer’s

maxim. And not only do their clothes not match, but theenthusiastic way in which they tuck in at table, can sometimes result in

the odd food stain that ‘nothing will budge’ appearing on blouse, shirt ortie.

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Cancer is ruled by the Moon, so it’s hardly surprising that the crabs of the zodiac are changeable, over-emotional and sensitive. But, on theother hand, they can surprise by being the strong, silent type who hatesarguments and will do anything to avoid them, and will remain calm inthe most difficult situations. And although no one knows who pennedthe phrase, ‘Revenge is a dish best eaten cold,’ chances are it was a

Cancerian. Slight or offend a Cancerian and they don't go seekingimmediate revenge - they wait for weeks, months, even years and thenstrike when the iron is cool. But every bad side has a good one, and if youdo a Cancer a favour, they will never forget it and you have a friend whowill stand by you for life.

Although they may not seem so, they are sensitive souls and what mayhave been intended as a jokey criticism may well go deep and whilesmiling on the outside, they may be sobbing their hearts out on theinside. They are good at giving the impression they think is expected of

them. If you're talking to one and they are not the least bit interested inthe subject, they will nod wisely, smile at the right moment and sighwhen they feel that's what you expect - but what you are saying is goingin one ear and out the other! But if you are talking about something thatinterests them, they can store information and organize it as efficientlyas a computer.

Other signs often find Cancer difficult to make out and, because theyoften have dual natures, what one person sees as a charming, vivacious,sympathetic soul, another will see as a moody, uncompromisingb******. If they like you, you will be first to know for they will go out

of their way to be friendly, but if they take a scunner (a lovely Scottishword for dislike) to you, they won't even bother to give you the time of day. They'll look through you, talk over you: you're simply not there asfar as they are concerned!

They like their privacy and the phrase, 'his home is his castle’, couldhave been invented for them. They use their strong imaginations todream up all sorts of fantasies, especially sexual ones – but do little toput them into practice. And if their lover is unfaithful, that's the onetime they act out of character and seek immediate revenge. Althoughthey share certain traits with Scorpios and Pisceans, these two signs offerrich hunting grounds for the Cancerian in search if a mate (especially if the male in the relationship is the Scorpio). They are often attracted toLibras but find them a bit too fickle after a while. They regard Virgos aspotential friends rather than potential mates. And Sagittarians? Tooversatile and too willing to seek their pleasures away from the home andfamily for Cancer's liking.

When it comes to choosing a career, they are often tempted to go intocatering for their love of food makes them creative chefs. And beingsympathetic souls, they often look to medicine or social work for job

opportunities.

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Leo, the lion (24 July – 23 August)

The Sun, FireIf any of the signs associated with mythological animalslook like the eponymous beast, it’s Leo. Slender and

athletic of body, and with a fine mane of (often wild)hair, Leos look like lions. Remember those ads thatshowed a seven-stone weakling having sand kicked inhis face by a muscular Adonis.Chances are it was a Leowho was kicking up the sandstorm! And the female of the species shares these exhibitionist tendencies withher male.

All Leos love to be the centre of attention and thriveon admiration. They thrive on challenges and if

they say they will do something they will do it with the energy,enthusiasm and vitality that their element, Fire, sparks in them.

The word ‘failure’ does not come into their vocabulary, and their self-confidence can inspire some or make others loathe them. They set theirgoals and achieve them through their enthusiastic determination.

They can be so open that some people think them naïve, but they loveimpressing people and if they get the scent of envy in their nostrils theylove it. They don’t set out to offend people, but if they do and theyrealize they have been offensive, they won’t apologise: attack is the best

form of Leo’s defence. An asked-for apology will be met with such subtleinsults that whoever feels offended will often end up doing theapologising, mumbling, ‘Sorry, I didn’t understand what you weregetting it,’ and slinking off before they see the smirk of triumph on Leo’sface. And woe betide anyone who interrupts a Leo when he’s eating. Liketheir feline counterparts, when food is in their sights, nothing elsematters. They make fabulous hosts, though – and if you aren’t suitablyand obviously impressed, don’t expect to be asked back

Aries and Sagittarius are the two signs under which Leo is likely to findhis soulmate. Arians, like Leos stimulate each other and though there

may be tremendous battles of will between the two, as they both wantto be first in everything that they do, they will both enjoy the other’scompany. Sagittarians are the ones that Leo trusts above all other signs,and finds them the most physically attractive. Geminis and Leos areoften attracted to each other, but as Leo likes to be boss, the flames of passion are soon doused. The Lion and the Scorpion may also enjoy abrief fling, but Scorpio’s tendency to exercise too much authority soonrankles with Leo. But when the affair is over, there usually remain thebonds of strong friendship. The one sign that Leos should avoid at allcost is Virgo – far too nit-picking and critical for a sign that loathes being

criticised.

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Whoever Leo decides to settle down with, usually after a great deal of contemplation, and agrees to the union, must always be one hundred percent loyal. They must be willing to be subservient on occasions and alsoto tolerate their partner flirting, often outrageously, in their presence if they are feeling in need of attention.

In selecting a career, Leo usually decides on one that gives him thechance to show off – so it’s no surprise that the stage attracts them likemagnets, and Leo actors, with their vitality, enthusiasm, passion andenergy, are the ones that are least likely to be resting, darling!

Virgo, the virgin ( 23 August – 22 September)

Mercury, Earth

Virgo’s element is Mercury, the Messenger of the Godswho was forever darting hither and thither. It’s nosurprise then that those born under the sign of theVirgin have fascinating eyes that seem to beeverywhere at once, trying to take in everything atonce. And they can change their facial expressions atthe drop of a hat: a sympathetic smile for someonewho needs comforting one moment, a wide grin forsomeone they’re sharing a joke with the next. That’sVirgo.

With Earth as their element, it’s no surprise that theylove routine and cleanliness, law and order. They are forever scrubbingand washing and are so neat and tidy, often dressed in their hallmarkgrey or blue, they could have stepped straight from a clothes shopwindow.

They tend to be the most critical sign of the zodiac, ever ready to have ago at others and being the first to point out their mistakes (somethingthey never make themselves). Given the chance, they will organizethings down to the last detail and are first to take the credit for the work

others have done at their behest. Although when the need arises, theywill work harder than any one else to make sure that a schedule is keptto and a job done the best it can be.

Their darting eyes are first to pick out a flaw in others, no matter howsmall, and the quick wit and use of double entendre they have at theircommand, enables them to point these flaws out in a way that makesthose unfortunate enough to be at the receiving end believe that Virgoknows every skeleton in the cupboard.

Curiously, despite their ability to discomfort people, Virgos need

interesting friends around them all the time – and they’re not afraid to

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use them to increase their store of knowledge and to up their bankbalance. But don’t even think about exploiting a Virgo – they will casttheir eye over their wide circle of friends and select the one who can besthelp them get their own back.

When it comes to matters of the heart, Virgos are as pernickety in

choosing a partner as they are in every other aspect of their lives. Theirideal partners will have class and cash – in marriage, love is an addedbonus for the virgins of the Zodiac. Once they have tied the knot theywill try to carry on with the busy social lives they enjoyed in theirbachelor days, showing to their trophy partners just how lucky they areto have landed a popular, sociable Virgo.

With a deep-rooted need for security, Virgo is well matched withCapricorn, a sign that complements the Virgin and will strive to achievetheir mutual goals. They will massage each other’s egos – but whether

they do so with even an ounce of sincerity is questionable. Virgos sharea love of beauty with Taureans who will make suitable marriagepartners. Not Geminis or Sagittarians though: Virgos may well dallywith one or other of them for a while, but in the long term, althoughthey may build a lasting friendship, Virgo will not trust either sign onehundred per cent. Scorpios are a bit too deep and secretive for Virgos andas for those born under Aries – the two signs should steer clear of eachother in the romantic stakes for match critical Virgo with fiery Aries andthe sparks will not just fly, they will explode!

Virgos are so well organized, they make excellent secretaries – knowing

exactly where everything is and having an instinct of knowing when itwill be needed. But with their tendency to take over, many bosses findthemselves regretting the day they hired Mr or Ms Perfect! And if youare a moment of two late for an appointment be it a business or hospitalone and the receptionist slaps your fingers for your tardiness – it’s evenmoney that he or she is a Virgo!

Libra, the scales (23 September – 23 October)

Venus, AirWith Venus as the sign’s ruling planet, it’s hardlysurprising that Librans are the most beautiful of all thesigns in the Zodiac.A graceful, elegant frame, a creamy,clear complexion, glowing, velvety hair, fine bonestructure and teeth that could feature in a toothpastecommercial. If they have an Achilles heel, it is(appropriately enough) their feet which are oftenunusually large: but such are their other attributesthat no one notices.

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Flirtatious by nature, they have few scruples in using their good looks tohelp them get what they want. They thrive on love and attention, haveperfect manners, are generous (if a teensy bit over-sophisticated) hosts tofriend and stranger alike and, because they hate arguments will doanything to avoid one, or if it’s too late, will be first to pour oil ontroubled waters. That’s hardly surprising, given that their zodiac sign is

the scales. But what is surprising is that they often tend to go toextremes. A glass of house champagne? Make it a bottle of the bestBollinger. A rug to put on the gleaming, wooden floor that stretches asfar as the eye can see? Make it a silk Kilim!

Surprisingly, in matters of the heart, Librans often need to be coaxed outof their shell before they will declare themselves, and versatile,independent Gemini is just the sign to do this, helping Libra to achievethe balance that is so important in their lives.Aquarians share with Libraa tendency to call a spade a spade and a dislike or anything false or

imitative, and the two signs can be well matched romantically. TheTaurean tendency to be possessive mars what could otherwise be areasonable pairing, but the two make good, long-term friends. Scorpio’ssharp-tongue jars with Libra and the two should steer well clear of oneanother.

Being turned down by whoever it is they fall for is something that cutsLibrans to the quick. They simply can’t understand how anyone could dothat to them and will eventually convince themselves that the otherperson obviously didn’t realize what they’ve turned down, poor things!And when an affair breaks up, so strong is the Libran fear of loneliness

that they plunge into another one at the first opportunity.

With air as Libra’s element and socializing one of the words associatedwith it, it should come as no surprise to whomsoever a Libran plights hisor her troth that life seems to be one long party – for they love throwingthem and any excuse will do.

Other words linked to the element air are ideas, thought andexplanation. That could explain why so many Librans are fascinated bypolitics and may well take it up as a career. Design is also a field thatattracts them, but they should steer clear of banking or any job in thefinancial sector. Money matters and Libra simply don’t go together!

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Scorpio, the scorpion (24 October – 22 November)

Pluto, Water‘Hypnotic’ and ‘Magnetic’ are two words that are oftenapplied to Scorpios. The first thing you notice about a

typical Scorpio is not his or her complexion, which isoften sallow, and it’s not their hair, even though it canbe so uncontrollable that it looks as if it hasn’t seen acomb for weeks. Their height? Just average. Theirbuild? Just average. But their eyes! They don’t somuch look at you: they look right through you.

Their superficial manner disguises a volcanictemper that will erupt the moment anyone stepsout of line.They have a memory like a computer –

names, places, events, phone numbers (when a Scorpio uses aphone number chances are he will never have to look it up again – it’scommitted to memory forever).When a Scorpio listens to what seems tobe trivial gossip, he may look as if he’s paying no more attention thananyone else. But his analytical mind is taking in everything and whenthe time comes, tiny facts that everyone else has long forgotten willcome out, honed and weapon sharp – often in the devastating retort forwhich Scorpios are famous.

With Pluto, the planet that reveals our ability to effect transformation,as its ruling body, it’s no surprise to learn that Scorpios can change at the

drop of a hat – polite and charming one minute, rude and aggressive thenext. They’re never happier than when they are proving someone wrong– something they can do with alarming speed and horrible accuracy: nowonder that Scorpios make excellent detectives – they’ll spot the flaw ina story right away.

When Scorpios give their friendship, it’s for life. They tend to overlooktheir friends’ faults apart from one: disloyalty. If a Scorpio finds out thata friend has been disloyal that’s it. He will never forget and neverforgive, for when a Scorpio says, ‘I’m never going to speak to you again,’he means it – no matter at what cost to himself. And that’s typical

Scorpio, if he wounds himself in the process of hitting out at someoneelse, that’s just too bad.

When Scorpios find that a friend is ill, it brings out everything that’sgood about them, for then they become astonishingly sympathetic andhelpful – and there’s nothing they won’t do to help, no matter how muchit puts them out.

They are the most passionate and overtly sexual sign of the Zodiac,lustful lovers who like to get as good as they give, then some more. But,

they do have a tendency to overestimate their prowess in the bedroom.Their desire to dominate makes Scorpios an ideal match for Cancerians

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who often like to take the back seat in a relationship. They are also wellpaired with Pisceans, one of whose traits is an inability to makedecisions, something Scorpios adore. The scorpion and the lion get onwell, but are best advised to stay friends rather than lovers. Scorpio andCapricorn share a tendency to keep secrets from their partners and whenthe cat gets out of the bag, claws are unsheathed and the fur flies in all

directions. As Scorpios have to be the dominant partner in arelationship, anyone born under the sign who finds themselves attractedto one of the same should think twice, three times, before taking mattersany further.

In selecting a career,Scorpios love the challenges of big business and jobsin which their negotiating skills can be best used. But no matter whatcareer path they decide Scorpios, as one well-known astrologer wittilyobserved, like to start at the top and work their way up.

Sagittarius, the archer (23 November – 21

December)

Jupiter, FireIf one or two of your friends are taller and more athleticthan the others, the chances are that they were bornunder the sign of the archer – Sagittarius. They always

seem to be on the move, which might explain why veryfew Sagittarians are fat!

Fire is Sagittarius’s element, and, with one of thewords associated with that element being‘excitement, it should come as no surprise that to

many of them life is an exciting game, full of gambles and opportu-nities that should be grabbed at every turn. And with the typicalSagittarian’s luck, the gamble is likely to pay handsome dividends andthe chances taken lead to a geometric progression of opportunities.

They are charming, something they are happy to use to get them out of any trouble their happy-go-lucky, extrovert natures may land them in.People will forgive them anything, which may explain the Sagittariantendency to see life through rose-coloured glasses.Voltaire didn’t specifyunder which sign Dr Pangloss in the play ‘Candide’ was born, but withhis watchword being, ‘It’s all for the best in the best of all possibleworlds,’ he must have been a Sagittarius.

Similarly, J. M. Barrie never tells us what Peter Pan’s Sun sign is. Withthe Sagittarian desire to stay young forever (and they will spend afortune on lotions and potions to help them to do so) it’s safe to say thatPeter was born under the sign.

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Expansive Jupiter is the sign of the archer’s ruling planet, and one linkedwith excess. Maybe that’s why Sagittarians can fall in love at first sight,and can be in love with more than one person at the same time. A newconquest is a great morale booster to a Sagittarian, and they are alwayson the lookout for someone new to dazzle with their open-handed, open-hearted personalities.

The Sagittarian love of independence makes it hard for those who settheir hearts on marrying one to march their catch up the aisle. Andwhoever does land one, must be prepared to hide their jealousy whentheir spouse announces that they are off to meet an old flame to talkover times past.

Leo and Sagittarius go well with each other, the lion having the knack of keeping the archer on the right track and stopping them making fools of themselves at parties, something their extrovert nature encourages.

They are also good in bed together. Fellow fire sign Aries is also a goodmatch for Sagittarius as long as the ram understands that the archer isnot expected to surrender completely to it. Gemini and Sagittarius areoften too alike to make it safe to take the marital plunge; Taurus is fartoo possessive to allow Sagittarians the looseness of rein they need, andScorpio’s secretiveness and deviousness will drive open-, broad-mindedSagittarius to distraction.

Sagittarians are often the intellectuals of the zodiac and no matter whatcareer they choose, it must be one that allows them freedom of expression. And being imaginative, they can make good lawyers – and

even better writers.

Capricorn, the goat (22 December – 20 January)

Saturn, EarthSometimes small in stature, and with dark, piercingeyes, Capricorns often give the impression that theythink whoever talks to them is only doing so for their

own motives. That’s why they often find it hard tosmile, but when they do . . . it’s like watching the Sunbreak through a stormy sky, turning the world gold.

Earth is their element, one associated with routineand tradition. And that’s Capricorn – ploddingalong, sticking to plans, but getting there – alwaysgetting there – in the end. If there were twelve

cardinal virtues and each one was ascribed to a planet, thenCapricorn’s would be Patience.

They may not give their friendship easily for they seem to have a self-

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imposed barrier around them. But when they let it slip and invitesomeone through, the force of warmth of their personalities can be asoverpowering as it is unexpected.

Capricorns often suffer from low self-esteem, but they don’t holdanyone else in high regard either, so it doesn’t make much difference to

them. If there’s an injustice to be handed out, Capricorn will be first inthe queue, hands outstretched to take it. But, when they think they havebeen treated really unfairly, they will bide their time, waiting for theright moment to get revenge (although if you accused them of this, theywould look at you in open-mouthed disbelief).

Capricorns are a bit of a cold fish in the romantic department. Not forthem a long, sweet seduction. Not for them hours of world-movingforeplay. With Capricorn, it’s ‘what you see is what you get and let’s getit over with as quickly as possible, I’ve got better things to do’.

Marriage to a Capricorn is marriage for life. Their steadfastness andloyalty are legend, and they expect the same in return.Virgos make goodmarriage partners – they will help their spouses run their businessaffairs efficiently and keep them in line in the domestic front. Taurusoften offers what Capricorn is looking for in love. But if a Capricorn isconsidering a Gemini for the marriage bed, best think again: Geminilacks the ambition that Capricorn needs to achieve complete fulfilment.Aquarians are too independent and eccentric to make a good match withCapricorn.

But if one sign should be married, it’s Capricorn. Marriage is often themaking of a Capricorn. It brings them out of their shell and helps themto see beyond their self-imposed horizons.

Capricorns, with the methodical, well-planned approach to things makegood businessmen. They also make good teachers, lawyers andpoliticians. They are good at using the latest IT to help them achievetheir goals, and as they have little respect for authority, when they doachieve them, it is through their own efforts rather using the favour of others to help them on to the top rung.

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Aquarius, the water bearer(21 January – 19 February)

Uranus, Air

Tall, with a high forehead, the typical Aquarian oftenhas excellent bone structure and, with Uranus theplanet of the unconventional as ruler of the sign,he orshe often sports an unusual hair style andfashionable, sometimes ultra fashionable, clothes.

They are frank, with an open attitude to life, andalthough they like to create a good impression onthose they meet, if they don’t they will shrug theirshoulders and carry on regardless. Independent of

mind, they often seem to take two, three times longer than

anyone else to do things: not because they are slow-witted but becausethey are so independent that the thought of asking anyone else for helpis foreign to their nature.

They tend to take a universal view of things, preferring to take aninterest in mankind as a whole rather than in the individual in particular.But, that said, point Aquarius to an underdog and they will champion it;show them a lost cause and they will fight it.

Their eccentric behaviour often finds them the centre of gossip.Aquarius

doesn’t mind: they are probably well aware that there is an element of truth about it. But if anyone goes too far with an Aquarian they will findthemselves on the receiving end of one of the most incisive and cruelwits in the Zodiac. One razor-sharp quip will cut the offender to thebone, leaving them in awe at the speed with which the remark was made,while at the same time admiring the skill with which the words werephrased.

Associated with the element air, which is connected with ideas, thoughtsand explanations, it should be no surprise that Aquarians are veryintellectual, seeking to expand their knowledge of just about anything at

every opportunity.

Anyone who falls in love with one of the water-bearers has their handsfull. Give them the slightest excuse to be bored and they are off – ridinginto the sunset with a new lover in tow. That said, while the affair isproceeding, Aquarius is the most loyal of lovers: it’s just that give themeven half a chance to get bored and that’s it. In a flash the eye willwander and it’s all over.

Libra and Gemini are the signs that are ideally suited to Aquarius – theyhave many common interests, share a love of freedom and will pull outall the stops to keep romance alive, especially in the bedroom. They also

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share an intellectual streak and will have no difficulties in communi-cating with each other. Aquarians often find themselves attracted to Leosand Sagittarians, but after a time, the lion and the archer will start to geton the water-carrier’s nerves. Cancerians are too much the loner forAquarians, and romantic liaisons between the two should be avoided.

Aquarians often look to science as a career, particularly astronomy andradiography. They also make good actors and writers.

Pisces, the fish (20 February – 20 March)

Neptune, WaterWhereas some signs bless or curse those born underthem with a typical appearance, Pisceans come in allshapes and sizes - although many of them will confess

that they are just a little over the weight they wouldlike to be. Being a water sign and with Neptune astheir guiding planet, it should be no surprise to learnthat those born under the sign often have eyes thatshine like emerald pools.

Pisceans rely on first impressions. Dazzle one onfirst meeting with ready wit and a quick quip or two

and they will assume you are the Bob Hope of yourgeneration. Appear down and depressed and they will firmly believe thatyou are an eternal streak of misery.

They have the happy knack of encouraging people to come to their aidwhenever they need it. They rarely need to ask for directions if they arelost. They will simply stand there looking just a little helpless andsomeone is almost guaranteed to come and say, ‘Can I help you?'

Neptune, the sign's ruling planet, blurs reality and fantasy, so it's nosurprise that Pisceans are the daydreamers of the zodiac. If there's aproblem, that's for one of the other signs to solve. And try to get one tomake a decision? Drawing hen's teeth is easier. Neptune also tells us of

our deep-felt need to feel at one with others. This makes Pisceansespecially happy people - laughing and smiling more than most othersigns, especially when they are trying to impress the opposite sex. Theyhate being alone and really need their friends to give them the affectionthey crave twenty-four hours a day.

They can be highly strung and prone to extravagant displays of emotionand temper. Rudolf Nureyev, the famous Russian dancer was typicallyPiscean in this respect. It was not unknown for him to pick up a heavyashtray in a fit of temper and smash it through a rehearsal room floor-to-ceiling mirror, and then to charm everyone with his extravagant

display of apology even before the last shard had fallen to the floor.

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They often give the impression that they have no idea what they wantout of life, and in this case, impressions run deep. But never matter.Given Pisces' luck something will turn up, and chances are that someoneelse will have made it happen.

They are forever on the move – and pinning one down is almost an

impossibility. If you have Piscean friends, you’ll see a lot of them over ashort period, and then they vanish for months on end. Ask where theyhave been and they look at you with that typical wide-eyed innocence,shrug their shoulders and say, 'What do you mean?'

When they fall in love, their partner has to learn to treat them with kidgloves. They don't mind being dominated, as long as they can see thefairness of it. They are often heard to tell their partners that they (thepartner) are too good for them.Agree and they will be hurt to the quick.And remember that they need to be fussed over: if they’re not they will

think that there is something wrong – not with them, but with you.

Cancerians, with their matchless ability to 'understand' are the idealmatch for Pisceans, and Scorpio does very well too, being able to helpPisces make important decisions that they could never reach on theirown. An attraction to Gemini is best kept to an affair that both willenjoy, rather than anything longer lasting. Virgos' fussiness and criticaleye can wound Pisces, but the two signs can go with the flow of friendship.And Aries is far too bossy and on the go all the time for Piscesever to settle down with.

With their dislike of responsibility, Pisceans don’t make the best bossesin the world. But they make excellent carers, and so many of them findnursing an attractive proposition. And with a deep-rooted love of animals, they make excellent vets.

* * * * * * * * *

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